NEW YORK (WCBS 880) — New York State lawmakers on Tuesday announced they will soon vote to repeal Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s temporary emergency powers that were granted to him at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie announced in a joint statement that lawmakers have reached a decision to immediately revoke the powers that gave the governor broader powers to issue executive orders amid the pandemic.
“I think everyone understands where we were back in March and where we are now. We certainly see the need for a quick response but also want to move toward a system of increased oversight and review. The public deserves to have checks and balances. Our proposal would create a system with increased input while at the same time ensuring New Yorkers continue to be protected,” Stewart-Cousins said.
The legislation will repeal the temporary powers – which were set to expire on April 30 – but will allow executive actions critical to public health to remain.
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“A year into the pandemic, and as New Yorkers receive the vaccine, the temporary emergency powers have served their purpose – it is time for them to be repealed,” Speaker Heastie said. “These temporary emergency powers were granted as New York was devastated by a virus we knew nothing about. Now it is time for our government to return to regular order.”
It took a while to iron out, but Senate Deputy Majority Leader Mike Gianaris tells WCBS 880 that the last few weeks, as problems piled up around the governor, helped accelerate the process to remove his emergency powers.
"There would be more checks and balances as was always intended to function, our government was never intended to be a one-man show," Gianaris said.
Cuomo’s directives that help manage the spread or reduction of COVID-19, facilitate the vaccination process or require the use of face coverings will remain in effect for an additional 30 days after the Legislature votes.
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Gov. Cuomo will still have the freedom to extend or modify the directives, but he will need to notify several others in the state Senate and Assembly before doing so, so that they may have an opportunity to comment.
The proposed legislation will also allow the Legislature to repeal a declared State of Emergency by joint resolution.
"Local governments would maintain their ability to issue orders for their own localities so if the city of New York, for example, has a different view they would be able to assert themselves," Gianaris said.
He tells WCBS 880's Steve Burns that Cuomo's powers were unprecedented.
"It served its purpose at they early part of the pandemic but it has ran its course at this point," Gianaris said.
State lawmakers could vote to pass the legislation as soon as Friday. Even if the governor does veto this bill, there are enough votes in both chambers to override it.
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Tuesday’s announcement came just hours after a third woman came forward to accuse Cuomo of sexual misconduct. Following those allegations, calls mounted from a number of local lawmakers for the governor to resign from his position.
New York Attorney General Letitia James confirmed her office will be investigating the allegations. Cuomo on Sunday said he also supported the investigation.
The governor’s administration is also facing an investigation into their handling of the coronavirus pandemic in state-run nursing homes and long-term care facilities.
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