Kathy Hochul has pledged to run her administration differently from her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo. She told reporters she’ll be assembling her administration over her first 45 days.
Hochul announced Thursday that she would be tapping state Sen. Brian Benjamin, who represents a number of Manhattan neighborhoods including Harlem, for the role of lieutenant governor. Benjamin is the third big pick to recently join the Hochul administration.
Health advocates point to a spike in overdose and opioid deaths during the pandemic, saying the pilot program to launch five Overdose Prevention Centers—four of them in the city, where people can use drugs under supervision would save lives—would save lives.
The former lieutenant governor took the oath of office at midnight Tuesday, becoming the state’s 57th executive leader and the first woman to hold the post. She is expected to make her first address to the public later in the day.
The third-term Democratic governor delivered his farewell speech to New Yorkers Monday, his last day in office after resigning in the wake of sexual harassment allegations. ‘We didn’t always get it quite right but I want you to know from the bottom of my heart that everyday I worked my hardest,’ Cuomo said.
The governor’s personal attorney spoke via video stream on Friday, fixated on perceived “fairness issues” in the report from Attorney General Letitia James’ office that outlined the harassment claims lodged against Cuomo, who is slated to leave office Tuesday. James’ office responded to the attacks from Cuomo’s team by calling them “lies and conspiracy theories.”
The soon-to-be governor recently pledged to re-strengthen the state’s eviction moratorium after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down a key portion of the law, which expires at the end of this month.
Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said the inquiry was no longer necessary since the governor plans to resign later this month, and also questioned whether lawmakers have the authority under state rules to impeach an official who no longer holds office.
“I spoke with Governor Cuomo yesterday and he pledged his full support for a smooth transition,” Hochul said Wednesday. “Regarding his decision to step down, I believe it is appropriate, and in the best interest of the state of New York.”
The near total rupture between the governor and the progressive establishment makes one wonder: How did their relationship last this long? One big reason is Bill de Blasio.
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