New York state legislature passes bill to limit Gov. Cuomo's pandemic emergency powers

ABC 'News' ^ | 3/05/21 | Marlene Lenthang

[Libloather]

Both chambers of the New York state legislature have passed a bill to limit Gov. Andrew Cuomo's emergency powers granted in the pandemic.

The Friday vote fell along party lines in the Senate with 43 Democrats voting in favor against 20 Republican votes. The Assembly voted 107-43 several hours after the Senate’s approval to require more legislative oversight before directives are modified or extended.

Cuomo will have to sign off on it for it to take effect. If he doesn't, state Democrats have a veto-proof majority in the legislature to override his vote.

The bill, which was introduced Tuesday by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, seeks to repeal Cuomo’s executive powers granted in the early days of the coronavirus crisis.

He was granted the emergency powers in March 2020, which permitted the governor to issue by executive order any directive necessary to respond to the pandemic, such as mandating mask-wearing and quarantines.

Under the new bill, Cuomo would require legislative review in order to introduce new executive orders concerning the state's virus response. If passed, he would also only be allowed to extend existing emergency directives related to the pandemic if they are "critical to public health."

Cuomo's emergency powers were set to expire April 30. The bill will allow standing directives related to the vaccination process and face coverings to remain in effect for an additional 30 days and they can be extended with Senate and Assembly review.

[Libloather]

Andrew Cuomo will have to sign the bill to limit his own authority.

Just looked - 'American Crisis: Leadership Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic' is still for sale on Amazon. $18 bucks.

[glorgau]

Why would the Republicans vote against revoking the powers unless they’re just being obstinate?

[Sacajaweau]

My thought is that it just switches and gives additional "power" to the legislatures where the Dems hold a super majority.

The present powers were set to expire.

[cnsmom]

Cuomo was just doing everything possible to extend the lockdowns so he could keep his daughters home longer he was just joking if anyone was hurt by the lockdowns.As people were fleeing NY, Cuomo just didn’t want his daughters to flee too. He figured he could just lock them in with him for a bit.Cuomo is on the record saying he was enjoying some family time with his daughters. This guy is a creep and the state of NY deserves better but will probably end up with another idiot like him because history repeats.

[Jack023]

What a joke. The disgusting, arrogant SOB should be in prison for what he did.

[Libloather]

I wonder what she knows. She recently moved out.

Who is Andrew Cuomo’s ex-girlfriend Sandra Lee?

https://www.the-sun.com/entertainment/1975464/sandra-lee-andrew-cuomo-ex-girlfriend/

[Liz]

I heard his ex-live-in Sandra Lee is also coming forward......claiming Cuomo did not touch her inappropriately.