2 March 2021: NY Dems To Strip Governor Cuomo of Emergency Powers

New York Democratic legislative leaders reach deal to strip Cuomo of emergency powers

Governor Cuomo's emergency powers, which New York's legislature granted in the early months of the coronavirus pandemic, will come to an early end.

Democrats in the New York Legislature have reached a deal that will end Gov. Andrew Cuomo's emergency powers, leaders from both chambers announced late Tuesday afternoon.

The powers, which have been in effect since the start of the COVID-19 crisis last year, were set to expire April 30. However, there has been growing call for a repeal in recent weeks as the Cuomo administration has come under fire for its handling of nursing homes during the pandemic and allegations of sexual harassment in the past week against the governor.

Statements by Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie did not address either of those scandals.

Governor Cuomo's "misdeeds" have been well known among the Democrats in the state legislature and by many in the media for some time, who have resisted this action for the sake of sustaining a narrative for months.