Assemblyman John Lemondes (R,C–LaFayette) issued a statement today following an announcement that New York will eliminate or modify 50 regulations that state agencies have found added tens of millions in costs to residents seeking services. The governor noted that these changes would affect 22 state agencies and save New Yorkers more than 1 million hours navigating the bureaucratic system.

These rollbacks targeted repetitive and outdated policies, including replacing duplicative forms for medical professionals treating patients with Medicaid coverage and eliminating a regulation to require restaurants to get a special permit from the state to allow women to work after midnight.

Lemondes also highlighted the potential for the state to rescind a pandemic-era mandate requiring all staff at facilities managed by the state Office of Mental Health to receive the coronavirus vaccine. Lemondes believes these rollbacks are a positive step forward for New York and will continue to advocate for the elimination of more unnecessary regulations and mandates in our state.

“In a rare moment for Albany, common sense has prevailed,” said Lemondes. “For too long, working families have suffered under the pressure of being the second-most regulated state

in the nation, and now, they’re finally seeing some relief. While I applaud this crucial step forward, the job is far from finished. We must make every effort to repeal these unnecessary regulations, or we will continue to see New Yorkers leave our state in record numbers.”