Yesterday the state supreme court in New York invalidated Kathy Hochul’s mask mandate, saying the mandate is illegal and she doesn’t have the authority to enforce it:
BREAKING: A NYS Supreme Court Judge has ruled that the Governor’s mask mandate is illegal. The Governor and State Education Department have NO authority to enforce this mandate without the approval of State lawmakers. This is a major win for students & parents.
— Bruce Blakeman (@NassauExec) January 24, 2022
Hochul had responded in a statement that they were looking for ways around the ruling. Well apparently one of those ways was to lie to schools and tell them the ruling had been stayed.
This morning Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY 21st District) says she’s been getting calls from parents saying that children are being refused entry into schools unless they are wearing masks. She blames Hochul and the state’s department of education for lying to schools about the ruling:
🚨🚨 My office is answering calls from constituents – specifically parents who are informing us that their kids are being kept from entering schools unless they are wearing masks. THIS IS ILLEGAL. THERE IS NO STAY ON THIS COURT RULING.
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) January 25, 2022
Kathy Hochul and her Department of Education are LYING to Superintendents causing unnecessary confusion. There is no STAY on this court ruling. Kathy Hochul's Authoritarian mandate was deemed ILLEGAL by NY Supreme Court. Masks are not mandatory for students as of RIGHT NOW!
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) January 25, 2022
It is unacceptable and shameful that Kathy Hochul would cause mass confusion for our superintendents, principals, teachers, parents, and students LYING that there is a stay when there is NO STAY this morning. Her mask mandate is ILLEGAL.
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) January 25, 2022
Another Congresswoman from New York’s 22 district is saying the same:
My office is hearing the same from parents across #NY22 as well. The Governor is defying the law and lying to NYers about the ruling. https://t.co/eyufS2tqi9
— Congresswoman Tenney (@RepTenney) January 25, 2022
It sounds like Hochul is defying the high court because she believes the court has no mechanism to stop her from disobeying their ruling. So like a good authoritarian, she’s going to do it no matter what.
MINOR UPDATE: Stefanik posted this photo as well this morning:
Rules for thee, but not for me!
Masks mandatory for kids, but apparently not required for Kathy Hochul! pic.twitter.com/53bRa57lTD
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) January 25, 2022