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State lawmakers want to work, albeit remotely

Apr 16, 2020 9:30 am
Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics members of the state Assembly and Senate want to stay in session and continue forward with the post-budget season, even if it means in video form. Good-government advocate Susan Lerner also supports a continuation of the session using video conferencing technology. "Democracy doesn't pause, it adapts. While the governor continues to triage the COVID crisis, the Legislature must take advantage of existing technologies to continue doing the people's business remotely," Lerner said. The Legislature approved a state budget in early April, and it was approved under emergency rules that allowed lawmakers to cast votes and participate remotely. If the session continues, lawmakers could take up a codification of the many executive orders Gov. Andrew Cuomo has issued, plus tackle non-payment of rents during the crisis and making it easier to vote through absentee balloting. The session's final day is scheduled to be June 2. Read the full story at NewYorkPolitics [dot] com.