The COVID-19 State of Emergency that was declared last March should be rescinded at this point said Chemung County Legislator Rodney J. Strange.
Strange joined with Assemblyman Phil Palmesano and other state legislators in supporting a bill that would do just that,
With new positive COVID numbers going lowered every day, less than 1% of daily new cases in all regions of the state, and vaccinations statewide reaching near 70%, now is the time to end the State of Emergency and the governor’s Executive Orders.
The governor has stated once the vaccination numbers hit 70%, most COVID restriction will be lifted such as capacity limits and social distancing.
“It is clear that we will be living with COVID-19 for a long time”, said Strange. The number of positive cases is at its lowest level since the pandemic started, vaccines have been available for months and people are ready to move on with their lives. We must continue to stay vigilant regarding the virus but getting back to a more normal life and doing the things that we weren’t able to do for almost a year is a necessity. People want to end the restrictions and be free again to do what they want to do. It’s time to end the State of Emergency and all of the governor’s Executive Orders.” Strange concluded.
Strange urged residents to call members of the state legislature and encourage them to support the bill.
Assemblyman Phil Palmesano added, “New Yorkers have come a long way in our battle against the COVID-19 pandemic since Gov. Cuomo declared a state disaster emergency in March 2020. We’ve socially distanced, we’ve worn masks, we’ve put off visits with friends and family and more than 19 million vaccine doses have been administered across the state. Our state has been operating under an emergency declaration for fifteen months today. State law grants the Legislature the authority to terminate – at any time – a state disaster emergency by concurrent resolution, and I stand here with my colleagues today to say, ‘enough is enough.’ It is time to return checks and balances back to our state government and return local control and authority back to our local municipalities and school districts. Democrats in Albany must take meaningful action to revoke the governor’s Executive Order once and for all.”
You can read to bill that was proposed below:
RESO 91587-01-1