PALUMBO CALLS ON ZUCKER TO RESIGN, URGES LEGISLATURE TO RESCIND GOVERNOR’S EMERGENCY POWERS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, Friday, January 29, 2021

CONTACT: Chris Stazio, 518-221-9460, stazio@nysenate.gov 

 In the wake of Attorney General Letitia James’ bombshell report showing that New York State vastly underreported COVID nursing home deaths, Senator Anthony Palumbo (R, C-New Suffolk) today called for the resignation of Health Commissioner Howard Zucker.  Senator Palumbo also reiterated his call to have the legislature strip Governor Cuomo of his emergency powers. 

“New Yorkers put an immeasurable amount of trust in State government to address the COVID pandemic and to protect the health and safety of residents.  This week, that trust was shattered.  To restore New Yorkers’ faith in their state government, I am calling for the resignation of Health Commissioner Howard Zucker and for my colleagues in the State Legislature to take swift action and rescind Governor Cuomo’s emergency powers. The AG’s report highlights the need for what my colleagues and I have long been calling for, the return of Legislative oversight in Albany.”