ALBANY, N.Y. (WROC) — There's a proposal in Governor Hochul's proposed budget that addresses masks in public. Some are calling it a mask ban, but Assemblymember Jen Lunsford, a Democrat, says that's not what this is. “(In the proposal) you can wear a mask for medical reasons, you can wear a mask for religious reasons, because it's cold outside, because it looks fancy with your dress, because you live with someone who is immuno-compromised,” Lunsford said. Lunsford says it was concern over anti-semitism and unrest surrounding some anti-Israel protests that prompted Hochul to pitch the change.Lunsford says it focuses solely on those who might try to use a mask to intimidate others or hide their identity while intimidating others, especially the Jewish community.“The only thing the proposal does in the Governor's budget is create a violation level crime to wear a mask with the intent to harass someone or wearing a mask with the intent to harass and assault someone, that's it,” Lunsford said.Some lawmakers, including a group of Democrats, though, question how intent to harass would be defined. Hochul addressed that a couple weeks ago by saying, “There's a way to define this that will be worked on in legislation as this goes forth.”But Lunsford is one of those pushing for a different approach, saying the current proposal could be misused.“Not only could it apply too broadly to a group of people, but what does harassment necessarily mean? If someone doesn't like the content of your protest and you're wearing a mask, is that harassing or does that begin to impact free speech? That's a real concern, and as an attorney, I share that concern,” Lunsford said. It remains unclear whether Hochul's proposal will make it into the final budget. ...read more read less