Mike Groll/Office of Governor Kathy Hochul
Kathy Hochul is sworn in as New York State's 57th governor by Chief Judge Janet DiFiore during a midnight ceremony at the New York State Capitol.
The former lieutenant governor took the oath of office at midnight Tuesday, becoming the state’s 57th executive leader and the first woman to hold the post. She is expected to make her first address to the public later in the day.
The third-term Democratic governor delivered his farewell speech to New Yorkers Monday, his last day in office after resigning in the wake of sexual harassment allegations. ‘We didn’t always get it quite right but I want you to know from the bottom of my heart that everyday I worked my hardest,’ Cuomo said.
The governor’s personal attorney spoke via video stream on Friday, fixated on perceived “fairness issues” in the report from Attorney General Letitia James’ office that outlined the harassment claims lodged against Cuomo, who is slated to leave office Tuesday. James’ office responded to the attacks from Cuomo’s team by calling them “lies and conspiracy theories.”
The outcomes of two competitive primary races that concluded with recounts are expected to be certified on Tuesday, the city Board of Elections said.
“I spoke with Governor Cuomo yesterday and he pledged his full support for a smooth transition,” Hochul said Wednesday. “Regarding his decision to step down, I believe it is appropriate, and in the best interest of the state of New York.”
It was a whirlwind week, we know. So we’ve compiled some of the standout moments—from the report’s release to the Friday rebuttal from Cuomo’s attorneys, which left us with lots of questions—to help keep you apprised of the key details.
With Cuomo unlikely to leave voluntarily—at least if his defiant response to James’ report is any indication—it will be up to state lawmakers to serve as the ultimate arbiters of his fate.
State Attorney General Letitia James’ civil investigation into the allegations against Cuomo found that the governor’s actions over the course of seven years “violated multiple state and federal laws, as well as the Executive Chamber’s own written policies.”
The changes are the latest in the city’s expansion of “Fair Chance Act” protections, which were designed to maximize job opportunities for qualified workers with criminal histories unrelated to their work. Before Thursday, only job applicants were covered by the law; it now applies to existing employees, too.
Between June 2020 and the end of June 2021, DOC officials submitted nearly 1,800 voter registrations, ballot requests, and ballots to the city Board of Elections on behalf of those detained in the jails. This includes more than 900 completed voter registration forms.
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