Cuomo makes announcements regarding schools, malls

Governor Andrew Cuomo
Photo credit In this May 27, 2020, file photo, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo speaks during a news conference at the National Press Club in Washington. New York's governor signed an executive order Wednesday, June 17, recognizing Juneteenth as a paid holiday for state employees to commemorate the emancipation of slaves in the U.S. Cuomo said he will propose legislation next year making June 19 a permanent state holiday. (AP Photo/Jacquelyn Martin, File)

NEW YORK (WBEN) - Governor Andrew Cuomo held a lengthy press conference Wednesday morning, announcing that malls in Phase 4 regions will be allowed to open Friday.

However, Cuomo spent a large portion of the press conference discussing schools and the process for potential reopening.

"On July 31, local school districts will submit their plans on how they would reopen, what their precautions will be, if they want to have a phased reopening, if they want to have a partial reopening - those plans would come in on July 31," said Cuomo. "August 1-7, the state will announce a decision on whether or not those schools reopen."

Not atypical, Cuomo and President Trump are at odds about the decision to reopen schools, as Trump posted a series of tweets on Wednesday morning.

In Germany, Denmark, Norway, Sweden and many other countries, SCHOOLS ARE OPEN WITH NO PROBLEMS. The Dems think it would be bad for them politically if U.S. schools open before the November Election, but is important for the children & families. May cut off funding if not open!

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) July 8, 2020

"School reopenings are a state decision - period," Cuomo began. "That is the law, and that is the way we are going to proceed - it's not up to the President of the United States.

"There is something called the Constitution that guides government power, and then there are a series of laws that are based on that Constitution," he continued. "The President does not have the authority to open schools."