Albany, NY (WBEN) - Last week, 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. What has happened since?
"Nothing at this point," said State Senate Minority Leader Rob Ortt. "All the majority has to do is take it up and put it on the floor... If it's passed by both houses, that's it. The directive you referred to would be gone."
The inaction, he says, shows that the bill passed to rescind powers from the Governor and restore then to the legislature was not as advertised.
"The law that was passed did not strip the Governor of his powers," Ortt said. "I think at this point, most people can look around and see that there has been no change."
It was just on Wednesday that Governor Cuomo made more changes to restrictions. Cuomo said during a brief conference call that the 11:00PM curfew for casinos, movie theaters, bowling alleys, gyms and more will be lifted on April 5th.
As for why those businesses at that time, there was no explanation. It's a stark contrast to the televised presentations filled with numbers that were used to explain many closures and openings over the past year.
"I think now it's almost as if the veil is down," Ortt said. "We're not even pretending that it's based on science any more. It's just based on the Governor's whims. If it's based on any science it's based on political science more than anything else."