State lawmakers urge graduation planning

Area state lawmakers are asking Governor Andrew Cuomo to initiative discussions to plan for college and high school graduations this year.

Senator Dan Stec (SD45) and Assembly members Matthew Simpson (AD114), Robert Smullen (AD118), Carrie Woerner (113AD) and Billy Jones (AD115) sent a letter to the governor today asking that discussions begin in earnest to plan for graduations. 

“Hundreds of thousands of high school and college seniors are counting the days as they eagerly look forward to crossing the graduation stage and accepting their diplomas in front of family, friends and classmates just months from now,” the lawmakers wrote.

“The frustration and disappointment when graduation ceremonies were cancelled last spring due to the COVID-19 public health crisis was obviously very understandable.  The students and their families missed out on a once-in-a-lifetime moment,” they continued.

With COVID-19 infection, hospitalization and fatality rates declining, and the governor continuing to relax public health policies to allow for more social interaction, the legislators said now is the time to begin planning with the expectation that graduations may be done in-person safely with proper protocols in place.

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