Metro

Hochul finally ends COVID-19 state of emergency as close election looms

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced Monday she will not extend the COVID-19 state of emergency amid falling caseloads and rising criticism of her use of the powers ahead of the Nov. 8 election that has seen Republican Rep. Lee Zeldin close the gap on her once-big lead.

The incumbent Democrat — who is seeking to be elected to the executive chamber for the first time since taking over after Andrew Cuomo stepped down last year — has renewed two executive orders each month since first issuing them as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus hit the state late last year.

While an order giving hospitals more leeway to hire health care staff has been relatively uncontroversial, the same cannot be said about Hochul suspending state contract rules that have led to accusations of pay-to-play politics involving the governor. 

A donor tied to $300,000 in campaign donations received $637 million in state business for rapid tests that were twice the cost of those provided by other state vendors.

This is a developing story.