Leader Joe Griffo proposes limits to Governor Cuomo's COVID emergency powers By Luke Perry
Deputy Minority Senate Leader Joe Griffo (District 47) believes these “extraordinary times” require cooperation and coordination, but it is imperative we “ensure that there is a balance of power” and “we have coequal branches of government.”
Griffo told Talk of the Town (WUTQ in Utica) the pandemic response has been “locally executed, state managed, and federal supported.”
“We’re not trying to handcuff any executive,” particularly in regards to health and safety, Griffo explained, “you have to act quickly in an emergency.”
Griffo’s priority is ensuring the state legislature has a greater role.
Photo from New York State Senate
Griffo’s proposed legislation amends executive law to require legislative review of the governor’s pandemic emergency powers every 30 days. The legislation also calls for Governor Cuomo to provide weekly reports to the legislature.
“Every so often in an emergency you just have to come back and seek continued approval in order to continue in that manner in which you’re operating,” Griffo said.
“The bill is necessary to re-establish the Legislature as a co-equal branch of government, as it was intended to be in the State Constitution. Much of what the governor has issued through his executive orders during the COVID-19 pandemic were expressly allowed through the state constitution prior to the state’s current situation; however, some aspects of the shutdown and reopening have been used as an end run around the Legislature and the state constitution, necessitating that the extension of any such powers come with the ability of the Legislature to review and revise what the executive has done.”
Griffo believes the governor’s efforts are “well intentioned.” “I don’t think anybody is trying to do anything that is hurtful,” Griffo said.
Greater communication with legislators and businesses would help build understanding of how health regulations impact communities.
“Initially there were a lot of proactive measures because you were dealing with something so new and problematic,” Griffo said. Revisions and restructuring is now merited “so that the process in the future can hopefully work better, and I hope we don’t need this that long.”
Assemblymember Marianne Buttenschon (D, District 119) has cosponsored the legislation.
The state legislature will reconvene tomorrow. 40 to 50 COVID related bills are currently under consideration.
Luke Perry (@PolSciLukePerry) is Professor of Government at Utica College
