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State lawmakers could convene virtually next week
May 20, 2020 5:45 am
Nick Reisman is reporting for State of Politics state lawmakers could hold a virtual session as early as next week, for the first time since early April. When they do, they are expected to take up a package of coronavirus-related legislation. Members of the state Senate and Assembly over the last two months proposed a variety of pandemic relief measures intended to make it easier to vote by mail, provide support and bolster benefits for frontline workers like hospital staff and EMTs. The meeting is expected to be held virtually, with lawmakers conducting business via video conference as they did when approving the state budget last month. Since then, the coronavirus response in New York has been dominated by Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who has held tremendous power during the emergency. Lawmakers in both parties are now looking to scale back that power. Some are pushing for more oversight of the administration's response to the virus as well, including the effect it has had on nursing homes and trouble with disbursing unemployment benefits at the state Department of Labor. Read the full story at nystateofpolitics [dot] com.