Senator Oberacker Calls for End of Governor's Emergency Executive Powers

ALBANY, 02/10/21 -- State Senator Peter Oberacker (R/C– Schenevus) today advanced an amendment on the floor of the New York State Senate to rescind the governor’s emergency executive powers.

Senator Peter Oberacker said, “Government is made up of three co-equal branches, that’s a lesson taught in elementary school.  Here in New York State, however, the governor has been given extraordinary powers that have lasted for nearly a year allowing him to unilaterally control state spending, suspend laws, and create all-encompassing regulations.   In the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic it was important for the state to act quickly in response to emergency needs, but we are far past the point where one person rule should continue to exist.”

Today marked the 14th time that Senate Republicans have voted to rescind the governor’s executive powers.  As in each previous case, every Senate Democrat voted against this commonsense effort to restore checks and balances.

“The time has come for the legislature to get our priorities reset. New Yorkers are depending on us as elected officials to get them answers on the loss of their loved ones in nursing homes, getting shots in the arms of the most vulnerable, and getting our economy back on track. 

“We were elected to be a voice for our constituents and be part of a system of checks and balances, the way our government was designed to work.  We cannot do that until we work together as a legislature to reassert our constitutional authority to represent New York State as a co-equal branch.  The time has passed to do what is right and do our job,” Senator Oberacker concluded. 

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