Dielli | The Sun

Albanian American Newspaper Devoted to the Intellectual and Cultural Advancement of the Albanians in America | Since 1909

New York Governor Andrew M. Cuomo resigns

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Photo by ABC News

By Rafaela Prifti/

Source: News Reporting NYT

One week after the NY Attorney General’s report found credible the sexual allegations of eleven women towards Governor Cuomo, he announced his resignation. In his address he said that his instinct is to fight, and that he had been interested in doing so in recent days. Ultimately, he came to the decision that there is no path forward in his governorship and announced his resignation effective in 14 days. The governor spoke directly to his daughters in his announcement telling them that he would not treat any woman differently than he would want them treated. 
One year ago, Cuomo was seen as perhaps former President Trump’s most effective foil. He is resigning in one of the most stunning falls in modern American politics and on a defiant note as the New York State Assembly’s is committed to moving forward with impeachment. Andrew Cuomo was elected governor in 2010 and was handily re-elected twice. He governed with an iron fist for over ten years in Albany and was seen as coasting to a fourth-term just a few months ago.The governor was hailed a national leader just a year ago during the pandemic. In announcing his resignation, the governor sought to take on the posture of public purpose emphasizing that he is driven by serving the people of New York: “the best way I can help now is to step down from office.”
He called for a “seamless” transition as Lt. Gov. Hochul steps into the governorship. She will be sworn in to replace him. Lt  Gov. Hocus, a Democrat, will become the first female governor of New York.
The announcement from Mr. Cuomo, a three-term Democrat, came one week after a report from the New York State attorney general concluded that the governor sexually harassed nearly a dozen women, including current and former government workers, by engaging in unwanted touching and making inappropriate comments.
The 165-page report also found that Mr. Cuomo and his aides unlawfully retaliated against at least one of the women for making her complaints public and fostered a toxic work environment.
The report put increased pressure on Mr. Cuomo to resign, leading to new calls to do so from President Biden, a longtime friend of the governor, and other Democratic leaders who had withheld judgment until the report’s findings were made public, and leaving Mr. Cuomo with few, if any, defenders.
Andrew M. Cuomo has seen his governorship thrown into turmoil by several scandals and investigations that have threatened his position and his legacy.
The State Assembly has been conducting a separate and broader impeachment inquiry into Mr. Cuomo that has explored potential abuses of power by the governor and his administration.
Source: News Reporting NYT

GOVERNOR CUOMO SIGNS BILL TO BENEFIT DECEASED FRONTLINE WORKERS

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By Rafaela Prifti/

On Saturday, Governor Cuomo delivered his daily briefing on the pandemic at the New Settlement Community in the Bronx. On day 91, he provided the data on hospitalization, intubation, number of deaths at 67 (today, same as yesterday) and proceeded to announce that New York City plans to open on June 8. “The challenge,” the Governor said, “is a non-existing hospital system.” He called attention to the inequality in healthcare. Although there are ten hotspots in the outer boroughs like Bronx, Brooklyn and Queens, efforts will be concentrated in the East Tremont and Kingsbridge Heights areas, while ten more testing sites will be added to each spot. Mr. Cuomo placed emphasis on the fact that the approach to controlling the virus in New York was driven by data and world specialists with expertise in the area of health crisis, not by politics or emotions. 

He signed a new law providing death benefits to the families of frontline who lost their lives fighting the COVID-19 pandemic in New York. Referencing the latest protests prompted by George Floyd’s death in police custody, he stated that there is injustice in the criminal justice system. “The message of fighting discrimination is obscured by the acts of violence,” said Mr. Cuomo. In response to last night’s protest in Brooklyn, the governor said he has directed Attorney General James to review all actions and procedures, because “the public deserves answers and accountability.” Governor Cuomo devoted a portion of the briefing to the “people of New York” who protected one another by staying home. The special credit went to frontline workers, “the ones who were asked to go to work when everyone else was under orders to stay home,” Governor said. To honor the legacy of the ultimate sacrifice made in the name of love for humanity, Mr. Cuomo signed a “bill that gives death benefits to the families of all the frontline workers that gave their lives for us.” 

The New York governor answered questions from the press including TV broadcast reporters and journalists. The English Editor of Dielli asked if the state has any medical data such as hospitalizations, infections, fatalities on the Albanian community. The Governor said that he will look into it and provide an answer. The task will be handled by a team member of the Governor’s Office, Sophia Zayas, who is the Bronx Regional Representative of the Governor Office, and who has been a dependable source of support and encouragement for our community.