New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo has rejected calls for his resignation on Sunday following new allegations of misconduct in the workplace, but will sign a bill depriving its emergency services to fight the Covid-19 pandemic , because he is experiencing growing political pressure from his own party.
The Democratic governor, who is grappling with waves of criticism and demanding that he resign over crisis in his government, has also promised that he “will not be distracted” in the fight against Covid.
“I’m signing the emergency law today, and I’m going to implement it today,” Cuomo said in a telephone conversation with reporters.
Cuomo said he would take the step with the “significant change” to allow Empire State restaurants outside of New York City to increase indoor dining capacity from 50% to 75%.
“The numbers are lower. If the numbers are lower, we will adjust the economic reopening valve,” Cuomo said.
According to the governor, the change will be implemented on March 19. But he warned that “if the numbers change, if something happens, if there is a downturn, then of course we will adjust.”
Cuomo is under fire amid a growing number of allegations of sexual harassment or inappropriate behavior in the workplace, as well as an ongoing scandal over the handling of Covid nursing home data.
New York Senate leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins on Sunday called for Cuomo’s resignation after two more women went on the record to accuse the governor of misconduct.
“There’s a different report every day that withdraws government affairs,” Stewart-Cousins said.
“We have allegations of sexual harassment, a toxic work environment, the loss of credibility surrounding the Covid-19 nursing home data and questions about the construction of a major infrastructure project.”
“New York is still in the midst of this pandemic and is still experiencing its social, health and economic consequences,” she said. “We must govern without daily distraction. In favor of the state, Governor Cuomo must resign.”
Carl Heastie, the Democratic speaker of the New York State Assembly, said in a statement Sunday that he agrees with Stewart-Cousins ”regarding the governor’s ability to continue to lead this state.”
“The allegations regarding the governor that have been reported in recent weeks have been very disturbing and have no place in government, the workplace or anywhere else,” Heastie said.
“We have many challenges to address, and I think it’s time for the governor to seriously consider whether he can effectively meet the needs of the people of New York.”
But Cuomo was defiant earlier Sunday when he was filled with questions about the allegations of several women, including two more who came forward on Saturday.
“There are some lawmakers who suggest I resign because of accusations,” Cuomo said. Some members of Cuomo’s own party, including state senator Alessandra Biaggi, have called for him to resign.
“I was elected by the people of this state, I was not elected by politicians. I am not going to resign because of allegations,” he said.
“The premise of resigning over allegations is actually anti-democratic,” Cuomo added. He asked people to have New York Attorney General Letitia James complete her independent investigation into the harassment applications before drawing conclusions.
“Let the Attorney General do her job. She’s very good, she’s very capable. And that’s going to be proper, and then we’ll have the facts,” he said.
“There is no way I am resigning,” Cuomo added. “But I’m not going to be distracted by this either … We have a lot of work to do.”
Cuomo responds to Biaggi in particular and replies: “I have a news flash for you: there is politics in politics.”
“I have political differences with people,” Cuomo said, including with some Democrats and Biaggi. “But they do not dominate the will of the people. They do not dominate the election. They cannot hear an allegation and do not make a decision on the allegation,” he said.
– CNBC’s Dan Mangan contributed to this report.