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OPINION: End of state of emergency is welcome news but should have happened sooner

The announcement [on June 23] that the declared state of emergency for New York State would not be extended was welcome news for all New Yorkers. Weeks ago, the Assembly Republican Conference called for an end to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive order. Unfortunately, when Democrats in Albany had an opportunity and responsibility to return checks and balances […]

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The announcement [on June 23] that the declared state of emergency for New York State would not be extended was welcome news for all New Yorkers.

Weeks ago, the Assembly Republican Conference called for an end to Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s executive order. Unfortunately, when Democrats in Albany had an opportunity and responsibility to return checks and balances back to state government and return control and authority back to local municipalities and school districts, they didn’t act.

For more than 15 months, 19.5 million people have been operating under executive orders, arbitrary restrictions, and emergency declarations. [One June 24], it finally ended. New Yorkers can now, at long last, return to their daily routines and a sense of normalcy. It is time to move forward.

William (Will) A. Barclay, Republican, is the New York Assembly minority leader and represents the 120th New York Assembly District, which encompasses most of Oswego County, including the cities of Oswego and Fulton, as well as the town of Lysander in Onondaga County and town of Ellisburg in Jefferson County. Contact Barclay at barclaw@assembly.state.ny.us. This article is drawn from a statement that Barclay issued on June 23.

Will Barclay