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Publicly sworn in Tuesday morning by the state's highest judge,
Hochul takes over the governor's office in the wake of a sexual
harassment scandal that drove her predecessor, Andrew Cuomo,
from power. She promised that "changing the culture of Albany"
would be a top priority.
Hours earlier, Hochul, a Democrat from Buffalo who turns 63 this
week, officially became New York state's 57th governor in a
private ceremony.
Hochul pledged to strengthen the state's response to the
COVID-19 pandemic and speed direct aid to residents in need, all
with an eye, she said, toward winning back the trust of the
people of New York in their elected officials.
"I want people to believe in their government again," she said.
Cuomo - who in his final public remarks on Monday complained
https://www.reuters.com/world/us/unfair-unjust-bitter-cuomo-says-farewell-new-yorkers-2021-08-23
the state investigation that concluded that the Democratic
governor had sexually harassed women who worked for him was
unfair - was known for a bruising approach to political
dealmaking that left him standing alone amid calls for his
resignation.
Hochul, whose resume https://www.reuters.com/world/us/kathy-hochul-become-first-woman-lead-new-york-2021-08-10
ranges from town board in upstate New York to the U.S. House of
Representatives in Washington, vowed to bring an entirely
different style to the governor's office.
"I'm looking forward to a fresh, collaborative approach. That's
how I've always conducted myself. There will be nothing new for
me," she said, speaking to reporters after the ceremony at the
State Capitol in Albany.
She said she's already working with New York City Mayor Bill de
Blasio, whose feud with Cuomo often led to sharp, veiled
criticisms.
"No blindsiding," vowed Hochul, who said de Blasio called her on
Monday to give her a heads up that moments later he would be
announcing a vaccine mandate for all New York City teachers.
Indicating she is considering a similar mandate for all teachers
in the state, she said she would be making an announcement,
possibly later on Tuesday.
"I have a chance to assemble all the stakeholders now that I am
officially governor and I have the ability to work with them.
I'll also be discussing this with our leadership in the Assembly
and the Senate," Hochul said. "This is what collaboration looks
like."
(Reporting by Barbara Goldberg; editing by Jonathan Oatis)
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