NY Senate approves $40 million to handle coronavirus testing

ALBANY – The New York Senate approved legislation Monday night allocate $40 million for additional staff and equipment to handle coronavirus testing.

© Barry Williams/for New York Daily News/New York Daily News/TNS Governor Andrew Cuomo listens during a coronavirus press conference at the governor's Manhattan office March 2, 2020 in Manhattan, New York.

Senators passed the measure 53-4. The Assembly continued to debate the measure late Monday.

Both Republicans and Democrats expressed reservations about the bill, particularly concerning an expansion of the governor’s power in emergency situations.

But Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie reportedly defended the measure, arguing there’s a “check” in place.

“The governor raised this language, and some members did express their concerns but the Legislature has the ability that, if the governor takes an action that we feel oversteps the bounds of where we think he should go, we can pass a concurrent resolution to undo it,” he said, Politico reported. “There is a check on the broadening of powers that is given to the governor.”

On Sunday, a Manhattan woman who had recently traveled to Iran became the state’s first confirmed coronavirus patient. She is currently isolated in her home and does not require hospitalization.

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