The 76-page report
outlined not only just how out of hand the governor allowed the COVID-19
outbreak in nursing homes to get, but that he and his administration took
active measures to cover up their failure. The governor and his so-called
health experts repeatedly stood in front of cameras and touted numbers they had
either manipulated or hand-picked to fit their narrative.
The people saw through their façade, however. Suspicions
arose immediately from the families and loved ones of those who fell victim to
the governor’s disastrous nursing home policy. They knew then what we know now
that the numbers the state was presenting to us and reassurances that the
situation was under control were lies.
The tragedy that occurred in our state’s nursing homes and
care facilities was a direct result of a policy unilaterally enacted by the
governor. In March, against the warnings provided by myself and many of my
colleagues, the state Legislature granted Gov. Cuomo increased executive powers
that allowed him to bypass the legislative process in decision making. He used
that power to implement and then hide the disaster that resulted from his
decision.
It is past time to remove the governor’s executive powers.
Beyond that, he and his administration must be held accountable for the loss
they caused and their failed attempt to hide the truth from the public. I fully
support subpoenaing Cuomo administration officials and hold them accountable in
accordance with the law based on their testimony. I urge all Democrats to vote
for the bill I have introduced that ends "Executive Power immediately. The
governor and his puppet, DOH Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker, lack honesty,
transparency, respect and decency. They are the reason people have such little
trust and even more distaste for elected officials.
Assemblyman David DiPietro represents the 147thAssembly
District, which covers all of Wyoming County and the southern portion of Erie
County.
