SEN. SAMPSON REACTS TO NY STATE SUPREME COURT DECISION TO REINSTATE UNVACCINATED EMPLOYEES

State Sen. Rob Sampson (R-Wolcott), ranking member of the legislature’s Labor and Public Employees Committee, today issued the following statement regarding the New York State supreme court’s ruling that New York City must fully reinstate unvaccinated city employees and provide them with back pay. In the opinion, the court also noted that the state violated rights of due process and that, “Being vaccinated does not prevent an individual from contracting or transmitting Covid-19.”

Sen. Sampson said, “This ruling represents the first step toward justice for more than 1,000 workers whose constitutional rights were violated by a government mandate. I understand that the case will face appeal and the matter is not fully resolved. However, I’m hopeful that this decision in New York is the impetus for other courts in surrounding states to begin a fair and impartial review of overreaching Covid-19 mandates both near and far.

“I have vocally maintained this position here in Connecticut since the Governor first declared the public health emergency in 2020. As a reminder, Governor Lamont coordinated the state’s pandemic response with that of New York State. Will he similarly adopt an updated New York Covid policy if its recent supreme court ruling withstands appeal? I will be closely monitoring this case as Connecticut residents whose rights were violated, like those in New York, deserve justice.”