Gov. Hochul gets a barrage of questions today about Cuomo, Tish James running for governor and her fundraising.

On Cuomo, says she "believes the women."

On James, says she expects to maintain a "professional relationship" with AG while running against her. On high-dollar donors, says she supports efforts for public financing, but until then, must fundraise: "My message to anyone who wants to support me is very clear: Thank you for supporting good government."

"We'll raise the resources I need to win this election."

Yeah - very important to note.

Existing Covid-19 directives (i.e. mask-wearing) will remain and can be extended/modified with input from the Legislature.

My understanding is governor would still be able to issue orders deemed critical to the pandemic response.

https://twitter.com/ReporterMarina/status/1366880213842472962

The deal is meant to give the Legislature some oversight/input, while not completely shifting the burden of responding to the pandemic away from the executive.

Politically, it's a symbolic rebuke of the governor as he faces dueling scandals.

NEW: The investigation into @NYGovCuomo could scrutinize not just the sexual harassment accusations made by two former aides last week, but potential claims from other women as well.

nytimes.com/2021/03/02/nyr… An outside law firm hired by Letitia James, the New York State attorney general, will have subpoena powers to request troves of documents and compel witnesses -- including the governor -- to testify under oath.

The law firm has not been selected yet.

NEW: Senate Democrats are moving to strip @NYGovCuomo of his emergency powers, w/ a vote expected as soon as next week.

Comes as news broke that F.B.I. and Eastern District of NY has opened an inquiry into handling of nursing homes.

W/ @jessemckinley:
nytimes.com/2021/02/17/nyr… "Senate leaders now intend to pass a bill that would limit the governor’s ability to supersede state laws to combat the pandemic and would establish a 10-person commission... to evaluate any future pandemic-related directives by Mr. Cuomo, as well as suspensions of laws."

Key tidbit:

“The administration responded to the Justice Department’s questions in writing relatively quickly, by Sept. 9. But state health officials did not respond to the Legislature’s questions until this week, nearly six months later.”

nytimes.com/2021/02/12/nyr… Cuomo tripled down today on explanation that DOJ request was prioritized over state request for data.

But that initial DOJ request was fulfilled by early September, yet Cuomo admin continued to withhold data.

To recap coronavirus in New York:

- @NYGovCuomo said experts project the outbreak will peak in NY in 45 days.

- NY will need 55,000 to 110,000 hospital beds and 18,600 to 37,000 ICU beds.

- The state currently has about 53,000 hospital beds and 3,000 intensive-care beds. - There are now 1,374 cases in NY, 12 deaths, 264 people hospitalized.

- The state's biggest challenge is expanding hospital capacity, which Cuomo has asked Trump to help with.

- There is also a shortage of ventilators.

Due to price gouging of hand sanitizer, @NYGovCuomo just unveiled state-made hand sanitizer with a "floral bouquet" scent. Aiming for 100,000 gallons per week. Providing it to MTA, schools, prisons, etc. Schools on New Rochelle could be closed for a number of weeks, @NYGovCuomo says.

Moving forward, if a student at a NY school tests positive the school will be suspended for an initial 24 hours to assess situation.

UPDATED:

New York landlords, balking at new rent laws, have filed a federal lawsuit challenging the entire rent-regulation system as unconstitutional.

nytimes.com/2019/07/16/nyr… They're betting on taking the case to the Supreme Court, which has historically upheld rent regulations. But landlords are hoping a new conservative majority and recent rulings will buttress their lawsuit.