SENATOR BIAGGI AND NYS SENATORS ISSUE JOINT STATEMENT ON THE GOVERNOR’S EXPANDED EMERGENCY POWERS
February 12, 2021
ALBANY, NY – On February 12th, 2021 New York State Senators Alessandra Biaggi, Jabari Brisport, Samra Brouk, Jeremy Cooney, Andrew Gounardes, Robert Jackson, John C. Liu, John Mannion, Rachel May, Elijah Reichlin-Melnick, Gustavo Rivera, Julia Salazar, James Sanders, and James Skoufis issued a joint statement calling for a repeal of the Governor’s authority to issue unilateral directives. On March 3rd, 2020, legislation was passed to significantly expand the Governor's executive powers under an emergency declaration, including giving him the ability to issue directives, in light of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 14 Senators issued the following statement:
“Without exception, the New York State Constitution calls for the Legislature to govern as a co-equal branch of government. While COVID-19 has tested the limits of our people and state –– and, early during the pandemic, required the government to restructure decision making to render rapid, necessary public health judgments –– it is clear that the expanded emergency powers granted to the Governor are no longer appropriate.
While the executive's authority to issue directives is due to expire on April 30, we urge the Senate to advance and adopt a repeal as expeditiously as possible."
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