Today Assemblywoman Marianne Buttenschon (D, I-Utica/Rome) issued the following statement in response to New York Attorney General Letitia James’ eye-opening new report on the state’s nursing homes response to the COVID-19 pandemic:

"Attorney General Letitia James’ report on New York's COVID-19 response in nursing homes is extremely troubling. This is unconscionable and unacceptable, and makes it clear that we need an independent investigation immediately. I believe nursing home residents and employees deserve to live and work in a safe environment. This is why I am a proud sponsor of my colleague Assemblyman Ron Kim’s bill A.3162 which would establish a temporary state commission to study and investigate the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic response on deaths in nursing homes. We must remove the politics and fully review and assess the state's COVID-19 policies so we can effectively combat this pandemic and help ensure a tragedy like this never occurs again. I want to thank the Attorney General and her office for providing a transparent investigation into New York’s nursing home crisis.”