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Statement from Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt
January 20, 2022
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Today, I voted NO on the confirmation of Dr. Mary Bassett as Commissioner of the New York State Department of Health. While I appreciate and respect Dr. Bassett’s credentials, I cannot in good conscience support a nominee who will not commit to examining the failures of the pandemic response under the disgraced Cuomo administration.
Even though we are in year three of a global pandemic, I firmly believe that DOH is still run with political science – not medical science – dictating our state’s failing COVID policies.
Endless arbitrary mandates. Discriminatory race-based COVID treatment. Infringing on New Yorkers’ second amendment rights. State-sanctioned drug injection sites. None of these policies are to the benefit of New Yorkers’ short- and long-term health.
I am disappointed that the Hochul administration has not learned from the failures of the disgraced Cuomo administration. We need an independent Health Department that can tackle the COVID, drug, and violent crime epidemics without politics or political correctness clouding their judgment.
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![Pictured at Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension from left to right: Orleans County Cornell Cooperative Extension Executive Dir. Deborah Roberts; BOCES 2 Asst. Superintendent for Accountability, Assessment and Technology Dr. Michelle Ryan; BOCES 2 District Superintendent Jo Anne Antonacci; Senator Rob Ortt; and O/N BOCES District Superintendent Clark Godshall, Ed.D.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/boces-cornell.jpg?itok=oGnp-yA4)
Ortt Delivers a Total of $55K to Niagara County Museums
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![Pictured at the Niagara Aerospace Museum from left to right: Niagara Aerospace Museum Manager Jason Parfinski; Niagara Aerospace Museum Librarian Ray Meissner; Old Fort Niagara Executive Dir. Bob Emerson; Senator Rob Ortt; Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum Board President Reanna Darone; Niagara County Historical Society Executive Dir. Melissa Dunlap; and Historical Society of North German Settlements in WNY John Schultz.](/sites/default/files/styles/760x377/public/img_3165.jpg?itok=JIlrcSxS)
Ortt, Griffo Tour Niagara Power Project
September 29, 2016
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