Are New York lawmakers so cowed by Gov. Cuomo they won’t even hold hearings on the worst environmental mess the state’s seen in years?

In February, the Assembly announced April hearings to probe the water crisis in upstate Hoosick Falls and review the safety of the water supply elsewhere in New York. That’s certainly a critical exercise, given the recent tainted-water nightmares there — not to mention Flint, Mich.

But now April’s here, and guess what? No hearings. An Assembly spokeswoman says “a hearing to point fingers isn’t useful” at the moment.

Say what? Assessing what went wrong in Hoosick Falls is more critical than ever. Same for figuring out if other areas are at risk.

Ah, but that might spotlight an epic management fail by Cuomo & Co. And lawmakers evidently fear upsetting King Cuomo.

Way back in 2014, tests first showed the town’s water contained perflourooctanoic acid, or PFOA, which is linked to cancer and other illnesses. Yet the state failed to warn residents or take any precautions until this year.
Why the slow response to a real health threat? Do other towns face similar risks?

The state’s handling of the crisis is even more curious given how Cuomo has reacted to some hypothetical public-health threats.

Despite scientific consensus, for example, that fracking is safe, Cuomo banned the entire industry from New York.

Likewise, in February, he called signs of elevated levels of radioactive tritium in groundwater near Indian Point nuclear plant “alarming” — and another reason to shut the plant. Yet those levels were below federal thresholds, and the water’s perfectly safe.

The Legislature is supposed to be a check on the executive. But with the Assembly’s change of heart — and no plans for hearings by the Senate — it seems no one will be held accountable for the state’s apparent bungling and possible coverup on Hoosick Falls.

Makes you wonder why New York even has a Legislature.