‘There’s plenty of discussion,’ he says
limitations reform will get accomplished before the legislative session ends June 16.
“There seems to be a lot more momentum for it than there was when I sought to move the bill out of the Codes Committee my last term in the state Senate,” said Schneiderman, who left the Senate in 2010. “It seems as though there’s a lot more support for it now. So I am optimistic that something can be worked out.”
The heartening news for advocates came the same day The News’ published on its front page the office numbers of Gov. Cuomo, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie (D-Bronx) and Flanagan, urging New Yorkers to demand reform on the statute of limitations.
Cuomo couldn’t be reached on Tuesday, but his office referred The News to previous statements he made. He has said those who are guilty of sex abuse should be held accountable. He has not said whether he would sign any of the reform bills. A Cuomo rep said his office received more than 140 calls Tuesday about the issue.
A spokesman for Heastie, who has been noncommittal regarding whether he’ll allow a vote in his chamber, minimized the number of calls his office received.
“Lobbyists and others often encourage constituents to call on their issue, so the volume of calls isn’t appreciably different. As we have said, we will discuss the issue with our members,” Heastie spokesman Michael Whyland said.
Flanagan spokesman Scott Reif said his office received at least 200 calls.
The News has covered efforts to reform the statute of limitations since March, when Long Island foster father Cesar GonzalesMugaburu was charged with abusing seven boys under his care. Authorities said they would have brought charges related to additional victims were it not for the statute of limitations.
Advocates said they were planning new efforts to keep their campaign at the forefront of legislators’ minds. “Tell Albany that perpetrators need to be exposed to protect children, and older victims of childhood sexual abuse deserve justice,” Markey wrote to supporters.