In a fervent address before the Public Health and Health Planning Council, Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R, NY-2) voiced her profound frustration with the public hearing process and passionately advocated for increased public engagement. Opening with a pointed question on the need for in-person attendance discrepancies, Giglio set the stage for a compelling narrative.
"I'm unclear why myself and members of the public have to be here in person and some do not," questioned Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio, setting the tone for a critique of the existing format.
The assemblywoman brought to light a petition over 10,000 New Yorkers endorsed, seeking a public hearing to address the Department of Health's (DoH) emergency regulations. These regulations, published in the New York State Register on December 15, 2021, have stirred concerns within the public, prompting the call for a comprehensive hearing.
"After they were ignored, on February 17, 2022, I hand-delivered a letter to Governor Hochul in which I was joined by 31 of my colleagues in the Minority Conference," Giglio explained. The letter, a unified call to action, urged the Governor to direct the DoH to adhere to the New York State Administrative Procedures Act and promptly schedule a public hearing.
Despite these concerted efforts, Giglio lamented the absence of a scheduled public hearing, leaving thousands of concerned New Yorkers without an avenue to voice their opinions on critical matters.
"It is unclear why a state agency would not want to hear from thousands of concerned New Yorkers," questioned Giglio, underscoring the imperative of public input in government decisions.
The assemblywoman expressed dismay at recent legislation, signed into law by Governor Hochul, which heightened the threshold for a public hearing petition from 125 to 750 signatures. She argued that instead of facilitating public engagement, these changes imposed more significant burdens on those wishing to express their concerns.
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| Assemblywoman Jodi Giglio (R, NY-2) File Photo |
"These emergency regulations, especially those pertaining to forced isolation and quarantine orders, mandatory masks, and visitation in nursing homes and adult care facilities, are all uniquely overreaching," Giglio declared.
In a bid for clarity, she questioned the quarantine and isolation locations, querying if they might resemble camps. Giglio also challenged the broad authority given to doctors and the DoH Commission to enforce quarantine or isolation based on suspicion, advocating for a more tailored and transparent approach.
"One size does not fit all. The state should not be painted with a broad brush," stated Giglio emphatically, emphasizing the importance of nuanced, district-specific considerations.
Giglio submitted the petition with 10,000 signatures for the record, underscoring the urgent need to address public concerns regarding the emergency regulations, which remain a point of contention for New Yorkers seeking clarity and protection of their constitutional rights.