NYS leaders respond to special election bill put on hold

ALBANY, N.Y. (NEWS10)---State leaders are responding to questions after a controversial bill which would have given the governor more time to call special elections was put on hold Monday.

Senate Majority Leader Andrea-Stewart Cousins was asked about the bill Tuesday morning. 

"This is a conversation that we had with the governor around increasing voter turnout, around saving people money and certainly around her having more time to be flexible in terms of when she calls an election," said Stewart-Cousins. "So, it began with her, and if she’s interested in holding it, that’s fine. You know, it’s okay."

Later in the press conference, Stewart-Cousins was asked by a reporter if she could confirm if the delay came from the governor and if not, what the reason was for the delay. 

"I think that people were willing to put it on hold for the moment," responded the Majority Leader.

Senate and Assembly Republicans have deeply criticized the bill, calling it a political power grab that would leave the North Country without a Congressional representative for several months.

Assembly Minority leader, Will Barclay shared with News10 how he learned the bill was put on hold. 

"I talk to a lot of my Democratic colleagues, and they informed me it wasn’t going to move forward," said Barclay.

When asked if he was told why, he responded, "No, but they were quick conversations, so I didn’t ask why, but hopefully they saw the light and realized even in Albany, when it’s this blatantly partisan, maybe they had a spat of consciousness, I don’t know."

Other outlets have reported it was governor who wanted to pause the bill, as it could be used as leverage in congestion pricing talks with President Trump.

News10 asked the Governor's Office if she asked for the special election bill to be held, but we have not yet gotten a response. 

It’s still unclear whether the bill will be brought up at a different time.