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Lawmakers in the New York Assembly and State Senate reached a deal on Tuesday to strip Gov. Andrew Cuomo of his emergency pandemic-related powers and return issues such as lockdowns to local control.
The deal would void the emergency powers granted to Cuomo exactly one year ago, at the start of the COVID pandemic, giving him carte blanche to order measures such as quarantines.
“I think everyone understands where we were back in March and where we are now. We certainly see the need for a rapid response, but we also want to move towards a system of increased oversight and review. The public deserves to have checks and balances. Our proposal would create a system with an increased contribution while ensuring that New Yorkers continue to be protected, ”Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said in a statement.
Member of the Assembly Carrie Woerner tweeted outlines of the widely reported deal Tuesday afternoon, claiming that it:
- “repeal the extraordinary powers granted to the governor last year”
- “provide for an orderly transition until the end of the disaster period”
- “Limit any further modification of the guidelines to what is necessary to reduce the spread or increase vaccinations”
- “Restore the right of counties and municipalities to issue decrees without seeking state approval”
- “Require the Governor to provide online reports on all decrees, ensuring transparency for all”
Woerner said she understands a bill will be passed as early as this Friday.
While the deal leaves Cuomo with the power to expand some existing measures, even there he will need to educate various legislative leaders and accept public comment for or against his actions. Lawmakers will also have the power to repeal a declaration of a state of emergency by the government.
Queens State Senator John Liu said the deal is less about retribution for the growing scandals facing the governor, and more about restoring the balance of power in Albany between branches of government .
The changes come amid growing calls for Cuomo’s resignation, as he faces three escalating scandals – accusations of sexual harassment by at least three young women, accusations of verbal abuse by lawmakers and accusations of mismanagement in the management of the pandemic in nursing homes. .
His administration now faces both an independent investigation into the sexual harassment issues overseen by the state attorney general’s office, as well as a federal investigation into the nursing home issues.
Over the past year, executive orders have left Cuomo to rule the state with little resistance, whether it’s closing schools, forcing people to work from home, restricting public transportation, or d ” stopping (then restarting, stopping again, then restarting) indoor meals. .
But as his problems worsened, calls for the legislature to regain some control by removing the emergency authority.
“A year after the onset of the pandemic, and as New Yorkers receive the vaccine, the temporary emergency powers have served their purpose – it’s time for them to be repealed,” the president said. Assembly, Carl Heastie. “These temporary emergency powers were granted as New York City was devastated by a virus we knew nothing about. Now is the time for our government to get back to normal. “
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