ALBANY (NY)
Times Union
January 14, 2019
By Brendan J. Lyons
Advocates seeking passage of the Child Victims Act are calling on state legislators and the governor to swiftly pass the legislation, which for years was blocked by Senate Republicans who lost control of the chamber in November’s elections.
With Democrats now in control of both legislative houses, supporters of the CVA held an emotionally charged press conference on Monday at the Capitol, recounting harrowing stories of the abuse they suffered as children and urging lawmakers not to let the issue get caught up in the budget process.
“Here we are in a new Senate, in a new day, where we are speaking loudly and clearly,” said Sen. James Skoufis, a freshman Democrat who won the seat formerly held by Republican Bill Larkin. “I’m committed with my colleagues here in making this a top priority — not in March when we’re negotiating a budget, but now.”
Gov. Andrew Cuomo recently indicated he would again include the Child Victims Act in his executive budget this year. But with Senate Democrats supportive of the measure, the advocates said there is no reason to wait. A spokesman for Cuomo on Monday agreed with that position, saying the governor would include it in the budget as a backstop but is ready to sign the bill if it passes the Legislature.
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