The emergency powers that Gov. Andrew Cuomo (D) had at the start of the coronavirus pandemic will be repealed with the new bill that passed the New York State Senate, reported The Hill.
“The legislation revokes the Governor’s authority to issue new directives while allowing those that are now enforced and that pertain to preserving public health to continue under significantly greater legislative oversight,” was said in the New York State Senate press release.
The restriction on Cuomo’s emergency powers comes after two controversies were made public, one over counting the number of deaths from the coronavirus pandemic at nursing homes at the state and other for accusations for sexual harassment and improper conduct from several women.
“I think everyone understands where we were back in March and where we are now. We certainly see the need for quick response but also want to move toward a system of increased oversight and review. The public deserves to have checks and balances,” said Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the State Majority Leader.
The bill got the support from all Democratic senators, but 20 of the Senate’s Republicans voted against the legislation, saying that they didn’t believe it’s fair to strip Cuomo from his powers in the name of the allegations he faces, according to CNN.
Similar legislation is expected to pass the Senate Assembly on Friday, and then send the bill to Cuomo’s office. However, the Democrats have a superior majority, which is needed to pass the bill, without Cuomo being able to veto it.
The main point of the bill is that Cuomo needs to give notice to the Legislature to extend or change current directives and requires Cuomo to give explanations to the Legislature for extending a directive.
As voices raised for Cuomo to resign, he said that he will not give up that easily.
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