Approved June 9, 2020 – Reaffirmed January 12, 2021

RESOLUTION OF THE GREATER UTICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE SUPPORTING THE PASSAGE OF SENATE BILL S8387 AND ASSEMBLY BILL A10502 TO MAINTAIN A SYSTEM OF CHECKS AND BALANCES IN STATE GOVERNMENT

WHEREAS; Governor Andrew Cuomo issued executive orders in response to the Covid 19 virus outbreak that altered or suspended numerous existing laws within the State of New York; and

WHEREAS; these extraordinary measures included the furloughing of thousands of employees and the temporary closures of numerous businesses within the Mohawk Valley region and across the New York State; and

WHEREAS; the required closures of businesses have created some questions regarding what businesses were deemed essential and remained open versus other businesses that were deemed non-essential and forced to close; and

WHEREAS; the Governor has extended the executive orders on several occasions;

WHEREAS; State Senator Joseph Griffo and Assembly Member Marianne Buttenschon have co-sponsored legislation (S8387 and A10502 respectively) that would amend executive law and would require the Governor to transmit a weekly report to the Legislature during an emergency declaration; and

WHEREAS; the proposed legislation would impose a maximum of 30 days for a disaster declaration, and any continuation of the declaration and/or the suspension of laws would require legislative approval; and

WHEREAS; local businesses, through their elected State legislators, would have greater participation in the process of reacting to pandemics or other state-wide emergencies; and

WHEREAS; the State Legislature seeks to have greater participation in decisions that could have economic ramifications in the event of a future crisis;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED; that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce supports the passage of Senate bill S8387 and Assembly bill A10502 and urges the Governor to sign the legislation in order to maintain a system of checks and balances in State government, and to help preserve the regional economy and the economy of New York State.

Reaffirmation