Gov. Kathy Hochul’s push to crack down on face masks is dividing her fellow Democrats as they weigh concerns about pro-Palestinian demonstrators, aggressive policing and basic freedoms.
Civil rights advocates say the proposed restriction would interfere with peoples’ right to mask up.
Black lawmakers in Albany worry about race-based enforcement, and many Democrats are voicing concerns about creating hostile conditions for protesters, particularly as the Trump administration targets them. Those concerned with the rise in acts of antisemitism argue they need to curtail the use of face masks to protect Jewish New Yorkers amid anti-Israel protests.
The split is playing out during the final days of state budget negotiations, upending what had been a relatively peaceful process in a state Capitol known for last-minute battles. The budget is five days past due, and Hochul’s mask proposal is among a few final sticking points.
There is also little support within the state Senate for the measure, three people involved in the matter say. More here