Top Democrats in the state legislature are taking steps to strip Governor Andrew Cuomo of his pandemic emergency powers – possibly as early as Friday – as the government is embroiled in dueling scandals over handling deaths in nursing homes and allegations of sexual harassment against the governor.
The agreement on a bill stripping Cuomo of power was forged between Senator, Majority Leader, Andrea Stewart-Cousins (D-Yonkers), and Chairman of the Assembly Carl Heastie (D-The Bronx). Once passed by both houses of the legislature, it would immediately revoke the powers granted to Cuomo in March to largely control the state’s response to the coronavirus, which is currently on hold on April 30.
That vote could already come on Friday.
The legislation would also prevent Cuomo from creating new emergency directives without the approval of legislative leaders and relevant committee chairmen and would only allow the renewal of existing directives if they are directly related to controlling the pandemic.
The deal would allow some of the existing guidelines to continue, such as the statewide mask order.
“I think everyone understands where we were in March and where we are now. We certainly see the need for a quick response, but also want to evolve towards a system of more overview and revision. The public deserves checks and balances. Our proposal would create a system with more input while ensuring that New Yorkers remain protected, ”Stewart-Cousins said in a statement.
“A year after the pandemic, and now that New Yorkers are getting the vaccine, the temporary emergency forces have served their purpose – it’s time for them to be withdrawn,” said Heastie.
“These temporary emergency permissions were granted when New York City was devastated by a virus we knew nothing about. Now is the time for our government to return to normal order. “
Lawmakers have pushed leadership to remove the governor’s authority, allowing him to take control of pandemic reactions in all local jurisdictions across the state in recent weeks as Cuomo has become engulfed in dueling scandals.
His administration is under investigation by the federal government for alleged withholding of data related to more than 13,000 recorded deaths in nursing homes associated with COVID-19, as well as multiple allegations of sexual harassment, which the attorney general’s office is investigating.
The legislature’s bill – expected to be officially introduced later tonight – would take at least three days to age before the senate and assembly can hold a vote. Votes can be voted on Friday at the earliest.
If the mate passes both rooms, it would be delivered to Cuomo to sign or deny. The governor’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment from The Post.