“The governor continues to move the goal posts and arbitrarily change his own rules on reopening our economy – and it’s New Yorkers who suffer for his misguided, unilateral decisions. Delaying tomorrow’s Phase II reopening for no credible public health reason is completely outrageous. A last-minute revelation today that he is now relying on so-called “international experts” rather than the leaders in our region who have been working hard, tracking data, and developing plans to re-start our economy is completely indefensible.

“This is an insult to the families across our communities who have poured blood, sweat and tears into home-grown businesses. This is an insult to the employees whose jobs were taken away but have been waiting for weeks to secure unemployment benefits or even receive a phone call back from the governor’s Department of Labor.

“This administration has had weeks to provide proper guidance to local businesses that would have had them ready to hit the ground running. He’s failed. People’s livelihoods are on the line.

“The Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions have done the necessary work and met the requirements. We want to reopen and we’re ready to reopen. It’s time to get back to work and help our small businesses, communities, and local economies to get back on their feet. This is just one more glaring example that it’s long past time for this Legislature stand up and finally end the governor’s arbitrary and unilateral abuse of power.”