Please take a moment to read this op-ed from Assembly Republican Leader Will Barclay on returning control of NY's government to the duly-elected Legislature. It appeared in the New York Post. It’s past time for Cuomo to give up dictatorial power, let democracy return to NY In the early stages of New York’s COVID-19 outbreak, there was a clear need for immediate, drastic action to contain the spread of the disease and protect public health. That’s why the Legislature granted Gov. Andrew Cuomo temporary emergency powers. The decision wasn’t taken lightly. Lawmakers in Albany made it fully intending to restore the ordinary balance of government as soon as possible. And now, that time has come. Since the governor declared a state of emergency on March 7, lawmaking in New York state has been reduced to a constant stream of executive orders — 31, in fact. Cuomo’s far-ranging directives have dictated new rules and requirements on everything from business closures, to school-board elections, from golf-cart usage to religious services, from academic schedules to beach-going protocols, and everything in between. The cumulative impact of these measures has been enormous. What’s more, they are only the beginning of major decisions that will determine the short-term direction and long-term recovery of the Empire State. Fortunately, New York is no longer in the same position it was two months ago. Regions have started the process of phased-in re-openings. Restrictions on businesses, health institutions and social interactions are finally loosening. The number of COVID cases, hospitalizations and deaths are on the decline. Although we are a long way from a full recovery, we can finally see a light at the end of this long, dark tunnel. On May 9, I called for an end to the governor’s emergency authorities and an immediate return to representative democracy. The Assembly Republican Conference has formally introduced legislation that would restore the Legislature’s authority as a co-equal branch of government and also establish new parameters on executive authority during future emergencies. The governor has overplayed his hand in some respects. His Department of Health’s March 25 order requiring nursing homes to accept COVID patients has cost lives; his overwhelmed Department of Labor is still processing unemployment claims three months after he ordered businesses to close and workers to stay home; applying the same lockdown standards to a region with 40,000 cases and a region with five cases never made sense. Across the country, at least 15 other states have introduced legislation that reshape gubernatorial powers during a declared state of emergency. In fact, here in New York, there are additional well-intentioned proposals, with bipartisan support, aimed at achieving the same goal. As lawmakers move closer to convening the legislative session, our first order of business is abundantly clear. We need to immediately restore a system of checks on a government that has drifted — and been driven — too far out-of-balance. Will Barclay is the minority leader in the New York state Assembly. SUPPORT THE NYGOP TODAY! ‌ ‌ New York Republican State Committee | 315 State Street, Albany, NY 12210 Unsubscribe [email protected] Update Profile | About Constant Contact Sent by [email protected] in collaboration with Try email marketing for free today!