Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is disappointed by the governor’s announcement that he plans to keep in place the 11 p.m. curfew for restaurants and bars, along with the food requirement with alcoholic drink purchases. These mandates...

“Assembly Majority can’t seem to help themselves. We just received nearly $24 billion from the federal government in aid and $5.7 billion in increased tax receipts, yet, still, Assembly Majority members want to impose another $14.6 billion in taxes...

“Assembly Majority need to come clean – the bill they claim strips the governor of his emergency powers actually extends it for as long as he sees fit. They have been lying to the press, New Yorkers and themselves, taking a victory lap on what is...

“The Cuomo administration has gone through great efforts to mislead the public about the magnitude of deaths at nursing homes during the pandemic. It is shocking, but hardly a surprise, that the governor’s top aides interfered with and rewrote the...

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is calling out Assembly Majority for misleading the public on their supposed deal to “strip” the governor of his extraordinary powers when in fact it essentially extends them. Majority announced...

“Assembly Majority leaders should be ashamed of the great lengths they are taking to protect the governor and the extraordinary emergency powers which he squandered by lying to the public about there being more than 15,000 nursing home deaths. My Minority...

“The Assembly Majority leadership needs to do their job. We are meant to lead in times of great difficulty, not run from it. My Minority colleagues and I have been trying to hold the governor accountable for his actions. Last week, they would not debate...

“The allegations outlined by the governor’s former aide, Lindsey Boyland, are highly detailed and must be thoroughly investigated. While there is always a presumption of innocence, it is in the best interest of the state that Gov. Cuomo resigns immediately....

Sen. Tom O’Mara (R,C,I-Big Flats), Sen. Fred Akshar (R,C,I,Rfm) and Assembly members Phil Palmesano (R,C,I-Corning), Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flatts), Marjorie Byrnes (R,C-Caledonia) and Joseph Angelino (R,C,I-Norwich) issued a letter to Gov....

“It is a sad day that it even got to this point, but the announced FBI probe into the Cuomo administration is welcome news to many concerned and grieving New Yorkers. The loss of 15,000 lives in our nursing homes is an utter tragedy, made worse by the...

“I would like to say that I am surprised the Cuomo administration had been actively covering up nursing home deaths but, quite frankly, the public and diligent reporters knew all along. Attorney General James found that the numbers were not adding up...

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) applauds the efforts of his Assembly Minority colleagues on the committees on Aging, Health and Oversight, Analysis and Investigation who recently issued letters and a petition to fellow committee members...

Assemblyman Christopher S. Friend (R,C,I-Big Flats) is calling on the Cuomo administration to provide guidance so established arts venues may safely reopen to hold live performances. The Assemblyman supports the push to reengage the arts; however, he...

“I applaud Judge Timothy Walker’s ruling to temporarily lift the 10 p.m. curfew on restaurants. However, the ruling only applies to restaurants in Erie and Monroe counties. It is time this rule and others be lifted statewide. We have seen the governor...

The pandemic response made profound changes to our economy and the earnings of families. Along with our colleagues at the federal and state level, we have been looking at a number of ways to provide relief or remove stumbling blocks to our recovery. Together,...

“Attorney General James’ investigation confirms a fear many of us held - that COVID-19 deaths in nursing homes were far greater in number than what was being reported by the governor and the DOH. This makes an altogether heartbreaking tragedy all...