Incoming NY Governor Kathy Hochul says she'll consider sharing official Cuomo nursing home COVID deaths data when she replaces him - and claims she 'wasn't close' to the alleged sex pest
Incoming NY State Governor Kathy Hochul has promised that she will make releasing data from the nursing scandal that plagued her predecessor Andrew Cuomo one of her priorities when she becomes New York Governor.
Speaking to CBS News' Nancy Cordes on Face the Nation this morning, the incoming New York governor promised to focus on requests for data 'early on' and will make sure that her administration 'fully cooperates' with them.
Hochul said: 'I'm not going to raise expectations that I have those documents in my hand on day one. What I have done already is meet with the commissioner of health and we'll be talking about what- what any outstanding requests for data are out in the- in the realm. I will look at those and have my team focus on this early on.'
Andrew Cuomo's office has been accused trying to prevent the true COVID-19 nursing home death toll from being made public by repeatedly overruling and preventing state health officials from releasing the number.
Around 15,000 nursing home residents are believed to have died of COVID, after Cuomo ordered the facilities to accept patients who'd been treated for the virus at the start of the pandemic. He did so to try and stop hospitals from being overwhelmed, but is now accused of causing thousands of unnecessary deaths by putting vulnerable people with COVID in a confined space where the virus was bound to spread.
Incoming New York Governor Kathy Hochul has promised that she will make releasing data from the nursing scandal that plagued her predecessor Andrew Cuomo one of her priorities
State Attorney General Letitia James concluded that Cuomo's administration understated the true death toll in nursing homes by thousands and that fatalities may have been fueled by a state order that forced such homes to accept recovering patients.
Hochul, who will become governor after Cuomo's departure on August 23, has previously vowed her administration will be 'fully transparent' when it comes to releasing data on nursing home deaths.
On Face the Nation, Hochul distanced herself from the Cuomo by repeating her claim that she had a distant relationship with Cuomo, who resigned on Tuesday after being labeled a serial sexual harasser, and who leaves office next week.
She said: 'It is no secret that the governor and I were not close.'
She went on to state that she wants the women who were allegedly harassed by Governor Cuomo while they worked for him to feel welcome in her administration.
Andrew Cuomo announced his resignation Tuesday, one week after the Attorney General's office found he sexually harassed 11 women, including nine state employees
She told Nancy Cordes: 'When I'm governor, I'm going to determine the best action to take. But I know that they feel welcome to stay in the administration. If they're here, I want them to know that the culture will be changed 1000% and not just them, who I will have conversations with, but also all women.
'I want every young woman, just like I was a high school assembly intern, to realize that this is a place where they have a role. We need their voices. We need that diversity. We're getting there.'
Since his resignation New York lawmakers, including assemblyman Ron Kim, have called out Cuomo's toxic work culture and have demanded that Hochul take steps to prove she will change the office for the better.
Andrew Cuomo's office has been accused trying to prevent the true COVID-19 nursing home death toll from being made public
In response to suggestions that she turn over her emails to prove that she was unaware of Como's misconduct at the time, Hochul said she would 'evaluate all requests.'
She added: 'It's hard to prove a negative because I've had no communication along those lines, but I believe in transparency.'
Cuomo insists he is innocent of the sexual harassment allegations and is the victim of a political attack, but says he is stepping aside in the interest of the people so government can focus on COVID-19.
Kathy Hochul will become the first female governor of New York and says she is 'ready' for the role and will seek election next November when the current term runs out
State Attorney General Letitia James concluded that Cuomo's administration understated the true death toll in nursing homes
Despite acknowledging a legacy of 'outstanding' progressive accomplishments, Hochul also claimed that it's 'pretty obvious' that her governing style is very different to Cuomo's.
She said: 'My style is very collaborative. It's thoughtful. I will listen to people, but then I will take very decisive action.
Kathy Hochul will become the first female governor of New York and says she is 'ready' for the role and will seek election next November when the current term runs out.
'I am the most prepared... and I will fight like hell,' she said.
It's unclear whether Cuomo will seek re-election. After resigning, the governor still faces at least three criminal investigations and at least one lawsuit, but the impeachment investigation by New York lawmakers has been dropped.