Cuomo Leaves Out Bail Reform in 2020 State of the State
ALBANY, NY (WRGB) — In his 2020 State of the State, Governor Andrew Cuomo outlined a number of goals and issues he plans on addressing this new year including marijuana legalization, health care, and climate change.
However, one thing he didn’t discuss was the state’s new bail reform, a subject that has stirred controversy across the state since it took effect on January 1st, which left lawmakers up in arms.
"What was most glaring, what was most significant about his speech is what he didn’t say. Nothing he said matters if we don't keep the people of New York State safe - 19.5 million people safe,” said James Tedisco, Republican State Senator for New York's 49th Senate District.
“People want that addressed and to not even mention that I think was really inexcusable," Dan Stec, Republican assemblyman for New York’s 114th District.
Democratic lawmakers also voicing their disappointment in the governor’s choice to leave bail reform out of his speech.
“Almost every headline is talking about the issues and the problems we are of having with the bail reform bill, yet it wasn’t talked about here. That needs to be a top priority. We’re talking about public safety. We are talking about people that are scared. People that are concerned. We’re seeing a number of issues surface,” said Angelo Santabarbara, Democratic assemblyman for New York’s 111th District.
Assemblyman John McDonald for the 118th District said he wasn’t surprised.
“Today was about laying out new goals new objectives. At the same token, my understanding is during the budget process, which starts in a couple weeks, we will start to hear an introduction, some changes to bail reform,” said McDonald.
McDonald said though the legislature came back to session, they won’t get into lawmaking until next week at the earliest.
