• Mar 2, 2021
Two prominent Democrats within the New York State Legislature announced late Tuesday afternoon that legislation was expected to pass that would pull back emergency powers granted to Gov. Andrew Cuomo at the onset of the COVID pandemic. The state Senate s minority leader, meanwhile, called the legislation a bogus backroom deal.
The measure comes as Cuomo is embroiled in two scandals: one over his nursing home policies during the health crisis and another over accusations that he sexually harassed former staffers.
Under the bill announced Tuesday afternoon, current directives pertaining to preserving public health will be allowed to continue. Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie jointly announced the pending legislation.
The Democratic-controlled state Legislature repealed Gov Cuomo's emergency pandemic power on Friday night but approved a bill that allowed him to continue to modify existing restrictions.