Gov. Hochul proposing restrictions on wearing masks in public
Angelique Corthals, of Stony Brook, and Philip Nolan, of Merrick, attend a meeting of the Nassau County Legislature in August about Nassau's mask ban. Credit: Rick Kopstein
ALBANY — Gov. Kathy Hochul proposes to restrict wearing masks in public in a move that could help deter crime in subways, but also raises civil rights concerns for protesters of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
"I support some variation of restrictions on the use of masks, except for medical and religious reasons," Hochul said.
"Masks used in the commission of a crime are deeply troubling to me," she told reporters Wednesday. "Think about a bank robber, walks in, their face is covered. Someone assaults someone on the subway, they can get away with it despite the fact that we have cameras because they are masked."
The state had a ban on masks in public since 1845 after some violence involving tenants opposing rent increases. But the law was repealed during the COVID-19 pandemic, an effort that was led by former Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo in 2020, the beginning of the public health emergency.
WHAT NEWSDAY FOUND
- Gov. Kathy Hochul is proposing to restrict wearing masks in public, except for medical or religious reasons, in a move that could help deter crime in subways, but also raises civil rights concerns for protesters of the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
- The state had a ban on masks in public since 1845 after some violence involving tenants opposing rent increases. But the law was repealed during the pandemic.
- However, rank and file Democratic lawmakers in the majorities of the State Senate and Assembly have opposed bans on masks as an infringement on civil rights of people protesting powerful figures.
For more than a year, Hochul has said in news conferences that she wanted to create a workable restriction on masks as part of her efforts to combat crime.
"This is something that, as I'm protecting public safety, is very much top of mind," Hochul said between closed-door budget negotiations with legislative leaders. "So, we're having conversations. We'll see how it goes."
The measure could be included in the budget deal that is due by April 1.
However, rank and file Democratic lawmakers in the majorities of the State Senate and Assembly have opposed bans on masks as an infringement on civil rights of people protesting powerful figures.
There was no immediate comment from the legislative leaders. Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie has repeatedly said he wants to keep policy measures out of the deal on finances needed to pass the state budget.
Under the state constitution, however, governors have extraordinary leverage over the State Legislature to include their policy objectives in a state budget deal.
Republican lawmakers in the minority conferences have sought a ban on masks as a public safety measure and as a deterrence to pro-Palestinian demonstrators, who often wear face coverings.
In August, Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman signed a county law that prohibited masks in public except for health and religious reasons.
"There is no good reason why someone should be wearing a mask in public," the Republican said in a statement Thursday. "Historically, masks have been worn by racists, and recently masks are being worn by anti Semites and criminals."
Michael Gormley has worked for Newsday since 2013, covering state government, politics and issues. He has covered Albany since 2001.
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