NYS Senate Majority Leader: "Governor Cuomo Must Resign"

New York State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins says the time has come for Governor Andrew Cuomo to step down following allegations of inappropriate behavior.

Stewart-Cousins, a Westchester County Democrat, released a statement Sunday afternoon saying "for the good of the state Governor Cuomo must resign."

The Senate leader wrote: "Everyday there is another account that is drawing away from the business of government."

The statement said: "We have allegations about 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."

Stewart-Cousins said as New York state continues to deal with the effects of the pandemic, "we need to govern without daily distraction."

Shortly after Stewart-Cousins called on Cuomo to resign, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie released his own statement saying that he shared her concerns "regarding the Governor's ability to continue to lead this state."

Heastie wrote that he believes "it is time for the Governor to seriously consider whether he can effectively meet the needs of the people of New York."

The statements by the leaders of the legislature were released shortly after Cuomo told reporters in a telephone conference call there is now way I resign."