Ortt: ending Covid state of emergency ‘long overdue’

Press Release, State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt

State Senate Republican Leader Rob Ortt issued this statement following Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s that the Covid-19 state of emergency would end on Thursday.

“Today’s news that the New York governor’s emergency executive powers will finally be lifted is long overdue news. The progress we’ve made wouldn’t have been possible without thousands of frontline workers, business owners and everyday New Yorkers who sacrificed so much over the past year.

“Now it is time for us to turn our undivided attention to the economic recovery and the rising crime wave devastating major metro areas all across the state. As elected officials, we must lead by example. Government officials should finally resume normal operations including making themselves available to the public and press.

“We must do better to restore trust in our government, and that begins by making ourselves more accessible and accountable as state leaders.”

State Assemblyman Steve Hawley issued this statement: “While this should’ve happened months ago when my colleagues and I in the Assembly Minority called on those in the Majority to restore checks and balances to state government, I am happy that a return to constitutional state government is imminent.

“The needless restrictions the governor mandated within our businesses, schools, places of worship and communities caused a great deal of struggle and suffering, so it is heartening to know the days of living at the mercy of the governor’s whims are coming to an end.”