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ALBANY, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) — Both the New York State Senate and Assembly voted to strip Gov. Andrew Cuomo of his emergency powers Friday.
While some some say it is a repeal of the temporary authority granted at the start of the pandemic, others say it falls well short, CBS2’s Tony Aiello reported.
READ MORE: Reports: Top Cuomo Aides Allegedly Altered July Report To Conceal Number Of Nursing Home Deaths
Amid growing scandals surrounding the governor, the measure will require Cuomo to work more closely with the legislature to make future pandemic decisions.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie released the following statement Friday night —
“A year ago, as New York was being ravaged by COVID-19, we passed legislation to give the governor temporary emergency powers that would allow the state to nimbly react to a constantly evolving, deadly situation. These temporary emergency powers were always meant to be that – temporary.
“Now, New Yorkers are getting vaccinated and we are beginning to look toward a return to normalcy. And with that, our government must return to regular order. By immediately repealing the temporary emergency powers, allowing no new directives to be issued and bringing transparency and oversight to the standing directives, we can establish better communication and collaboration with our local communities and help preserve the health and wellbeing of New Yorkers as we see the light at the end of the tunnel of this devastating and deadly healthcare crisis.”
Pandemic life in New York was shaped by a series of emergency orders issued by Gov. Cuomo: What could open, when, and how many people were allowed.
Now, as the governor is engulfed in controversy, Democrats in the legislature moved to curb his emergency powers. Republicans say it’s a joke.
“You are voting to move forward with a bill that sounds good on the surface, but does nothing,” said Assemblyman Jarett Gandolfo (R) from Suffolk County.
READ MORE: New York City Movie Theaters Reopen After Nearly A Year Of COVID Restrictions
Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro (R) said there’s a misconception Albany is returning power to local governments.
“Local governments can’t undo anything… When I have restaurants called me, saying, ‘What are you going to do? I want to open up,’ or gyms want to open up, ‘You now have the power,’ my answer is, ‘I don’t,’” said Molinaro.
Dutchess County has a 30-mile border with Connecticut, where restrictions on restaurants and gyms will soon be lifted. They’ll stay in place in Dutchess.
“Dutchess County business will remain at a competitive disadvantage and we’ll see Dutchess County residents leave Dutchess and New York to bordering states,” Molinaro said.
Democrats say their action will provide a check on the governor’s unilateral emergency powers.
“We can formally and critically review what’s on the books, prevent anything new from being issued,” said Assemblyman Ken Zebrowski (D) from Rockland County.
In the state senate, Queens leader Mike Gianaris (D) pointed out Republican critics worked with Cuomo for years when they controlled the chamber.
“They believed the governor wanted a Republican state senate. So for eight years, not a subpoena issued, not a cross word said,” said Gianaris.
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Still, the vote on emergency powers is seen as a step towards the legislature pushing back after a year of unprecedented power for Gov. Cuomo.
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