Both houses vote to strip Cuomo of pandemic emergency powers

[TexasTowelie]

ALBANY — Legislators voted to strip Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo of his emergency powers Friday, but not without lengthy debate split across party lines in which Republicans blasted the bill as a “sham” for not repealing the directives Cuomo has issued in response to the coronavirus pandemic.

The legislation revokes Cuomo's ability to issue new directives, but allows existing orders that deal with preserving public health to remain while providing greater legislative oversight of those edicts. The bill also gives legislators the ability to end the state of emergency, which was previously under the sole discretion of the governor.

"Today, under this new legislation, the governor will no longer be able to issue any new directives — period," Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins said prior to the vote. "In light of recent events, however, it is clear that we need to move toward a system of increased oversight, review and verification between the Legislature and executive branch, and also limit the powers granted to the governor."

Both houses approved the measure, with the Assembly's final approval coming late Friday.

Read more: https://www.timesunion.com/news/article/Senate-votes-to-strip-Cuomo-of-pandemic-emergency-16003952.php