Local lawmakers critical of Cuomo's State of State

ALBANY | Gov. Andrew Cuomo made his annual state of the state speech over four days, outlining his administration's agenda for the new year. Locally, however, North Country constituents found his goals lacking. 'Struggles.. not fully realized' "The struggles of North Country residents have not been fully realized," said state assemblyman Billy Jones (D). "While the Governor's eviction moratorium seeks to help those in vulnerable housing and employment situations, we have yet to provide direct support to small landlords leaving them without the rent income they need to pay their own bills and maintain housing," Jones continued. "Further, it is clear that small businesses have born significant hardships throughout this pandemic. As the backbone of the North Country economy, I am committed to ensuring small businesses get the help they need to get back on their feet." Jones said there were programs outlined by Cuomo he felt would benefit the North Country. "From expanding access to telehealth services statewide to reforming our election system, I'm eager to build upon what was laid out today and fight to ensure the needs and concerns of North Country families are heard loud and clear," Jones said, adding he hoped lessons from telemedicine could be expanded to state residents at large. "While I support the governor's plans to take the lessons we learned from this past year and continue expanding access to telehealth services, I believe we must first focus on expanding broadband access for our families in rural communities to ensure these services can benefit every New Yorker," he said. Jones said he would also like the administration to look at legalizing mobile sports betting, and allowing for the registration of Utility Terrain Vehicles (UTV's) over 1000 lbs. However, Jones said "the legalization of marijuana should not be rushed for economic reasons and we must consider the potential impact this decision could have on the safety and well-being of New Yorkers, especially those in recovery. "While these proposals provide a starting point, we have much more work ahead of us," Jones added. "I'll continue working hard to help the North Country build back stronger than before so we can all look forward to a brighter future." More answers needed Freshman legislator Matt Simpson (R) said he was not satisfied with the governor's answers when it came to pressing needs like the Coronavirus. "While the governor touted his ideas to move our state forward, our focus should be on addressing the issues we see today: vaccine distribution and COVID-19 recovery," Simpson said. "This governor and his administration have not provided a clear plan to the state on the vaccine, which has led to delays and mass confusion among our residents about who is eligible and who is not to receive the vaccine. The slower the rollout, the slower our small business owners can get back to economic prosperity." Simpson also expressed concerns about funding the administration's goals. "I wish we had better plans for addressing our state's massive budget deficit," he said. "The governor placed much of the blame for the state budget deficit on the federal government. The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly hurt our state economy in devastating ways, but we need to address our budget from within, not pass the blame to the federal government. It is important to remember that New York had a $6 billion deficit before the pandemic even gained traction in March." Simpson also said Cuomo had little in his agenda about the North Country. "The governor laid out publicly-funded projects throughout the state to the tune of $306 billion," he said. "Many of these projects are based in New York City and offer very little to my constituents here in the Adirondacks. I believe that the pandemic must be defeated and our constituents have to be back at work for any of these projects to truly succeed. I take calls in my office on a daily basis from North Country workers pleading for the governor to lift many of his lockdown orders that have hindered economic freedom. People need a chance to return to the workplace in a safe and smart manner." End of emergency authority Freshman state senator Dan Stec (R) called on Cuomo to end emergency authorities that came into existence at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic, proposing a resolution on the Senate floor which was defeated along party lines. "Many challenges have arisen throughout this pandemic, but the most recent exemplifies the utmost need to restore balance to our state government — the inefficient and ineffective rollout by the Governor of the COVID-19 vaccine," Stec said. "The Department of Health and Human Services began publicly discussing the expedited process to create and distribute the COVID-19 vaccine on March 30, 2020. That was nine months ago. Nine months before the release of the vaccine for distribution." Stec added exclusive authority and control, "only sows more chaos and confusion." "We must take this opportunity to restore balance in our democratic process, and return to governance based in collaboration and equality as intended," he said. Stec added he felt state government needed to get back to working at the statehouse and not through online meetings. "Schools, businesses and many other organizations are 'in-person' and so, too, should our state government," Stec said in a press release. "We have to meet. Working remotely had its time and place, but it isn't an effective way to govern." The Senator was also critical of the state's rollout of the COVID-19 vaccine and not involving all levels of government. "The state had months to get ready for this," he said. "The state taking it over initially, instead of working with our counties, who prepare every year for this kind of exercise, has been a mistake." On telehealth, Stec also said he felt the priority needed to be making sure all residents of the state had access to high-speed internet. "The use of telehealth is very valuable, and improving it makes sense," he said. "Along with the ideas the governor has, he has to recognize that we need better broadband to ensure that everyone can make use of this technology that can help keep them well."

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Local lawmakers critical of Cuomo's State of State

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