Criminal Justice Reform
As State localities have been instructed to begin reevaluating their local police forces, the Governor has pointed to an expanded list of question that should be answered to help direct this initiative.
Reopening Continues
Governor Cuomo stated that with the probably sign off of the New York State as well as international experts that are scrutinizing the current data, that New York City businesses should be prepared to move to Phase 2 on this coming Monday June 22.
New Executive Order
The Governor announced that he would be signing a new executive order that will increase the penalty for violating reopening rules that have been set through the different stages of reopening guidance. The new executive order with dictate that businesses that violate these rules can be shut down immediately and in the case of establishments that have a liquor license, they may be revoked immediately as well.
New York State Budget Status
Governor Cuomo, when asked about the current status of the State budget continued his stance of pointing to the federal government for assistance. He indicated that when they make a decision on state funding levels he would then be able to then make further choices on to movement needed with the State budget. Additionally he declined to identify how any plans to fill the budget gap if the federal assistance falls short of what he has stated that New York needs.
New York City
Today, Mayor de Blasio announced New York City is set to enter Phase 2 on Monday, June 22nd.
The Mayor also signed an Executive Order that creates a new and streamlined application process to allow restaurants to expand capacity outdoors as NYC enters Phase 2 Phase 2 will allow restaurants and bars to serve customers in outdoor spaces, and re-open office spaces, real estate services, in-store retail, barbershops and hair salons, car dealerships, and houses of worship at limited capacity.
Restaurants seeking to open outdoor space are required to submit an application to the NYC Department of Transportation beginning tomorrow to acknowledge they have read and will abide by the rules set in place for this new dining feature.
The NYC Council today passed several pieces of police reform legislation, including a ban on chokeholds, shortening the amount of time police have to conduct internal investigations, requiring police to reveal how surveillance technology, including surveillance video and facial recognition software, is to be used, and requiring the NYPD to seek public input when developing policies.
New York State COVID-19 Numbers
The State yesterday recorded the lowest percentage of positive COVID-19 tests since the pandemic began. Out of the 68,641 tests conducted yesterday, only 618 or 0.90%, were positive with the lowest number of hospitalizations since the pandemic began. That said, there still were 29 deaths yesterday from COVID-19.
