New York Governor aims to push bill on gay marriage during special session

[t0dd]

Gay marriage will be on the state Senate's agenda as early as this month if Gov. Paterson gets his way.

In an interview with the Advocate, Paterson said he intends to put the bill legalizing same-sex marriage on the agenda when he calls the Legislature back into session to deal with the state's $2.1 billion budget deficit.

"I am anticipating a special session and I am anticipating this is one of the issues that we will address," Paterson told the gay and lesbian magazine.

A date for the special session has not been set but most lawmakers expect it to be held later this month or in early October.

Paterson spokeswoman Marissa Shorenstein confirmed that the governor intends to place the bill on the session's agenda.

Under state law, Paterson sets the agenda for any special session he calls but he cannot force lawmakers to vote on legislation. They can simply table whatever measures they don't like.

The Assembly passed a bill legalizing same-sex marriage in May, but its fate in the Democrat-controlled Senate remains uncertain.

A handful of conservative Democratic senators and most Republicans oppose it.

Senate President Malcolm Smith (D-Queens) is a supporter of the bill but does not want to bring it up for a vote until it has enough support to pass.

"Our position hasn't changed," Smith spokesman Austin Shafran said Friday. "We are supportive of the legislation but there is no indication that there are enough votes to pass it."

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/2009/09/05/2009-09-05_governor_paterson_aims_to_push_bill_on_gay_marriage_when_legislators_return.html#ixzz0QH8pOOOB

[orpupilofnature57]

1. Great man that does the right thing ,which is why he doesn't stand a

prayer of getting re-elected ,though I couldn't support a man more.

[virgogal]

2. I can't believe this is a matter for discussion in NY---it should

been voted on and passed by now.

Very strange.

[notesdev]

4. Much of NY is quite conservative

This will never make it past the Senate.

[TheWraith]

6. Actually, somebody who works for the Senate tells me it'll pass.

I dunno if he's right.

[nuxvomica]

3. Thanks for posting. I just e-mailed my state senator.

I haven't been following this issue much but it looks like the time is right for some pressure from the voters. I'll followup with a call on Monday and see who else I can get to do the same.

[Smarmie Doofus]

5. The NYS DEM mullahs are preparing to dump Paterson.

Relentless drubbing in the establishment media over the Gov's real and imagined shortcomings.

Whatever the merits of the Party bosses' case against Paterson, he's been a consistent and ( *very*) long-time suppporter ( the bosses have NOT been) and his replacement ( we await the wisdom of our party masters) is highly unlikely to be as proactive on this and other issues of concern to this community.

I'm thinking : an email to thank Paterson would not be out of order.