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CityAndStateNY.com
August 23, 2021
The end of the imperial governor Incoming Gov. Kathy Hochul could unwind a century of growing executive control.
JEENAH MOON/AP/SHUTTERSTOCK
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T. GOV. KATHY HOCHUL faces a choice after she officially becomes the first female governor of New York on Aug. 24. She could wield her power to its maximum extent, or she could give up some of it to ensure future reforms outlast whatever time she has as governor. There are signs already that the Western New York native – who already announced her intent to run for a full term in 2022 – might give up some power in the 16 months left in the term she inherited from the infamously heavy-handed Gov. Andrew Cuomo, who announced on Aug. 10 that he would step down in the face of impending impeachment over a litany of scandals. Hochul has said that addressing sexual harassment will be a top priority for her. Another will be giving legislators and local officials a greater voice in policymaking. “My style is very collaborative,” she told CBS News in an interview after Cuomo said he would resign. “I will listen to people (and) we’re looking forward and making sure that my reputation and the reputation of my administration is one that is completely ethical.” That is all more easily said than done. She will enter office with immense powers under the state constitution to unilaterally dictate state spending, micromanage state agencies and control the judiciary through her appointments. A lack of term limits has meant that a litany of governors have reigned longer than Julius Caesar and Napoléon Bonaparte. “The system is fundamentally set up for the executive to have as much power as possible in New York,” Assembly Member Ron Kim of Queens said in an interview. “It also reflects one of the weakest legislative branches in the country.” Governors in other states are much less powerful by comparison, especially in more populous places like California, Texas and Florida. One 1990 study found New York governors were the second-most dominant in the nation (behind Maryland), and the office has only gained additional responsibilities since then. The impending resignation of Cuomo could mark the end of a century of growing gubernatorial power in the Empire State, according to interviews with experts and legislative leaders. Hochul is vowing to pursue a more collaborative leadership style and legislators are more emboldened than ever to assert themselves at the expense of the Sec-
Since Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation, the media spotlight has been squarely on Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul.
