Buffalo, NY (WBEN) As New York State continues to slowly emerge from the Coronavirus pandemic, many are wondering when it'll be time for lawmakers in Albany to take back some of the executive powers they granted Governor Cuomo to deal with the COVID-19 crisis.
Assemblyman Sean Ryan says the emergency powers don't extend into next yea's budget. "He can't impose the budget all by himself," says Ryan.
"Our revenues are still uncertain, when is the federal government going to come in, and how are we going to meet? We have a lot of challenges ahead in New York State." Ryan says Cuomo has power until the fiscal year expires, but notes the executive powers and fiscal year are not related. "We all have to come together to craft the next budget, which doesn't go into effect until April 2021," notes Ryan. Ryan says Cuomo has to work with both houses to put that budget together, and that starts with the comptroller reporting the amount of revenue the state has.
Ryan says lawmakers do have the power to take away Cuomo's power. "If we find the governor is operating outside the bounds of science, we will come back and take those powers away. But, right now, the recommendations are similar to what we would put into place," points out Ryan.
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"I absolutely think the legislature should be addressing this," says fellow Assemblymember Monica Wallace.
"Even under the emergency powers we have the power to override this, and we should do this at times." Wallace says she's been fighting with Cuomo to get movie theaters and malls re-opened, and as long as a resolution can be reached, New York is in good shape. "We're participating in the process, so any notion we're not is false," adds Wallace.
State Senator Rob Ortt disagrees with Ryan's assessment on Cuomo's orders. "We've long moved past the point where science or logic is driving this thing. It seems every day brings with it some new whim or prerogative of the governor. That's why I'm calling on Senate Democrats to rescind the powers we gave him," says Ortt.
Ortt says New York has $2,5 billion to help affected New Yorkers. "He can't have it both ways, lock it down and keep us on pins and needles. Then release some of that $2.5 million to relieve some of that pain," says Ortt. He says those who aren't willing should face the wrath of voters in less than two weeks.
Jimmy Vielkind of the Wall Street Journal notes Cuomo's been getting high praise for his efforts. "There are people who call him America's Governor, a nod to how Rudy Giuliani responded to the 9/11 terror attacks," says Vielkind. "Governor Cuomo put himself in the center of all the decisions in the entire state, which was one of the first epicenters of the coronavirus in America, and he put himself in a public relations role, holding news conferences carried across the nation and followed on social media."
Vielkind reminds critics lawmakers on both sides of the aisle approved special powers for Cuomo, and it will be tough to take them back. "Governor Cuomo has received broad public support, and the way legislation works in Albany, where provisions are tucked into larger bills, where a person would be forced to vote against school aid if voting against extending powers," explains Vielkind.
Vielkind says it will be tough for Republicans to take one of the chambers in this election, a key to taking back powers easier.