ALBANY — New York lawmakers reached an agreement Tuesday to rescinding and limit Gov. Cuomo’s sweeping emergency pandemic powers.
With the governor facing swirling scandals related to sexual harassment claims and his administration’s handling of nursing home COVID deaths, legislative leaders said it’s time to restore “checks and balances.”
The legislation introduced by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers) and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) will immediately repeal the temporary emergency powers granted to the governor last year, while allowing some executive actions critical to public health to remain in place.
“These temporary emergency powers were granted as New York was devastated by a virus we knew nothing about,” Heastie said in a statement. “Now it is time for our government to return to regular order.”
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Under the proposal, standing directives taken by executive action that “manage the spread or reduction of COVID-19, facilitate the vaccination process, or require use of face coverings,” will remain in effect for an additional 30 days. They can then be renewed but will be subject to review by the Legislature.
Fifteen days after the legislation goes into effect, all current suspensions and directives must be posted on the state website in a searchable format that includes details on suspensions and directives, including the reasoning behind any extensions or modifications.
“I think everyone understands where we were back in March and where we are now,” Stewart-Cousins said. “We certainly see the need for a quick response but also want to move toward a system of increased oversight, and review.
“Our proposal would create a system with increased input while at the same time ensuring New Yorkers continue to be protected,” she added.
The Legislature’s move comes as the governor faces calls for his ouster over sexual harassment allegations, which are being probed by Attorney General Letitia James, and a federal investigation into the state’s alleged undercounting of nursing home deaths during the COVID crisis.
Cuomo’s emergency powers were set to expire on April 30, but calls to strip him of the broad authority grew in recent weeks. The governor has come under fire following a blistering report from James’ office accusing state officials of under-reporting nursing home deaths and critics have cried foul over the administration’s decision to stonewall state lawmakers seeking data top Cuomo aides admitted could be potentially politically damaging.
Republicans have blasted Democrats, who control both chambers, for not acting sooner and repeatedly introduced hostile amendments in an attempt to revoke Cuomo’s executive authority.
Heastie’s office pushed back Tuesday ahead of the agreement being announced, slamming GOP lawmakers for making political hay out of the matter.
“Instead of helping to move our state forward, Assembly Republicans are working overtime to stall efforts to help our communities by playing politics during a time when New Yorkers can least afford it,” Heastie spokesman Michael Whyland said in a statement.
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Cuomo isn’t the only one who should have power stripped from him. Whitmer, Pritzker, Congressional Socialist/Communists, Biden, Kamala and a host of other people in his administration.
These so-called leaders enjoyed and rather relished in their edicts and control over the American people, whom I might add are the ones who make this country work not the feckless tyrants.
The American people suffered and died under their iron fisted rules. It’s time for them to face a real court of law and pay the price for what they have done and are still doing to this country. Thousands upon thousands are crossing the borders with more than just Covid. 117,000 migrant children are expected already for this year alone. This is unsustainable to say the very least. The numbers are staggering.
Schools have been closed for a year. Remember back in March when this would be for two weeks. Look where the country is now. These feckless people have no business having power and are in fact grossly incompetent.
Oh, and by the way. Congress just got through voting themselves another raise. They don’t give a rip about the people, just power and money.
Nothng new there. WHEN HAVE THOSE useless hacks, NOT VOTED themselves a pay rise, ALL THE while, taking a dump on we the people??
In other words, the democraps in new york played a lot of sound and fury, signifying nothing. They really do think the PEOPLE are stupid. NOTHING will happen to cuomo for any of his murders or sexual victimization. That’s just the way the democraps roll.
He needs to be stripped of his Job.
HE need to be sent to JAIL. For the rest of his life. (which hopefully won’t be that long).
The great Emmy Award winner, Governor Cuomo, who is worshipped by Hollywood and of course before the election, Cuomo was a hero to the left. Now look at this murderer of the elderly in Nursing Homes and this pervert toward women. Just remember “all women have to be believed”, right Democrats in Washington DC?
Odd that the Left absolutely ignores the intentional, premeditated mass murder of thousands by Cuomo, Newsom, Murphy, Whitmore and Wolf, just to boost the “NUMBERS”, as Fauci puts it, only to perpetuate their fear porn, in an effort to assume powers they DO NOT have as a means of gaining control and power, all to facilitate the theft of an election.
Then they get their panties in a bunch because Cuomo hits on some babes?
Seems those on the Left have really have their priorities screwed up! Go figure?