NY Democrats set to nullify some of Cuomo's pandemic restrictions

The Democrat controlled New York State Senate on Wednesday will vote to repeal certain executive orders issued by Gov. Andrew Cuomo in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea S. Cousins stated, "As more New Yorkers continue to get vaccinated, and our infection rates continue to decline, it is time to begin removing certain restrictions and regulations that are no longer necessary, so we can safely reopen and rebuild our state's economy."

According to WCNY's The Capitol Pressroom, the restrictions set to be lifted include the notorious "Alcoholic beverage requirement," which stated that alcohol in bars and restaurants must be ordered with food.

Also slated to be nixed is an order stating that government volunteers not be treated differently from paid employees. Cuomo faced backlash when his 'vaccine czar,' Larry Schwartz, was reported to be making calls to county executives to "probe their loyalty" to the Governor amid sexual assault allegations against him. Schwartz claimed to be working as a volunteer, and as such would not be subject to the same accountability and transparency as paid employees. Repealing this discrepancy would treat volunteers "as Public Officers in order to comply with government disclosure and transparency rules."

As WHAM-TV reported an order dictating that clinics "use all of their COVID-19 vaccine doses on hand within one week, with penalties if they do not" is also on the chopping block. While this was sensible policy when vaccine supplies were low, the current abundance has changed the situation.

The New York State Senate is likely to pass the resolutions, and according to WHAM-TV, given the fact that they are resolutions, Governor Cuomo cannot use his veto.