Friend: Cuomo’s Oppressive Unfounded Restrictions on Businesses Should All Be Lifted

Statement from Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) on the court ruling lifting the 10 p.m. restriction on restaurants

“I applaud Judge Timothy Walker’s ruling to temporarily lift the 10 p.m. curfew on restaurants. However, the ruling only applies to restaurants in Erie and Monroe counties. It is time this rule and others be lifted statewide. We have seen the governor over and over impose oppressive restrictions on businesses without any proof that they were needed in the first place. His own contact-tracing data has shown that spread in restaurants, gyms, schools, sports events, houses of worship and more have been very low. We can’t continue to rely on our court system to run our economic recovery. It is time the legislature resumes its role as a coequal branch of government and removes Cuomo’s dictatorial control over the state. It’s our job to stick up for small businesses and communities.”