Albany, NY (WBEN) - Will the so-called 'Cuomo Chips' be used as the first test of whether the Legislature has taken back power in Albany?
On Wednesday, State Senate Republicans introduced a resolution to rescind the Governor's mandate that prohibits bars and restaurants from serving alcoholic beverages to patrons who do not order food. By moving forward with the resolution, State Senate Republicans believe they can test to see if the Bill passed to rescind powers from the Governor and restore them to the Legislature will do what it's advertised to do.
"This specific directive was specifically referenced by the Democrat floor leader Mike Gianaris," said State Senator Rob Ortt, who sponsored the resolution.
Gianaris referenced the food-with-alcohol mandate while discussing the legislation to rescind the Governor's emergency powers, saying that it would no longer be able to be in effect because it is unrelated to public health.
"When I hear people talk about the Governor's emergency powers, this always seems to be one of those that stood out to people as 'What was the basis in science?'" Ortt said. "I think it doesn't make sense, and I think we need to find out if the Governor doesn't have any of these powers anymore, or if we want to do away with these powers, this seems like an easy directive to overturn."
Ortt said to expect similar resolutions pertaining to other directives to be brought forward in the near future.