Sorry if this is a little short, but Governor David Paterson will be introducing gay marriage legislation on Thursday!!
The AP is reporting, anonymously mind you, that Governor David Paterson will be introducing key legislation in the New York State Legislature to legalize gay marriage.
The make-up of the New York State Legislature is as follows:
32-30 in the senate, Democratic controlled.
109-41 in the house, Democratic super-majority
New York could possibly become the fifth state in the U.S to legalize Same-Sex marriage, after it easily passes the house and it may be a squeaker in the senate.
A little New York Same-Sex history:
New York gay couples willing to catch a flight and say their vows in Canada will soon be able to return home with many of the same rights and responsibilities as their straight married neighbors.
Following a memo sent to state agencies by the counsel to Gov. David Paterson, New York state will recognize gay marriages performed in other states and countries where the unions are legal, the governor's spokeswoman said Wednesday.
The directive orders state agencies, including those governing insurance and health care, to immediately recognize same-sex marriages legally performed elsewhere as valid in New York.
(May 2008)
Link
From Politico:
A little late to the party on this one, but it was reported this morning that New York Gov. David Paterson will introduce legislation Thursday to legalize same-sex marriage in his state. It's the latest development in a good two-week stretch for same-sex marriage proponents, who won big in the Vermont legislature and the Iowa Supreme Court last week.
But blue-state New York might not be a lock for same-sex marriage. From the New York Times:
The legislation is likely to have an especially bumpy ride in the Senate, where more lawmakers oppose same-sex marriage than support it. Gay rights advocates are now actively seeking more senators, both Democrats and Republicans, to vote for the bill.
While Mr. Paterson has said he would like to see lawmakers "fight it out" and debate the bill on the floor of both houses even if it fails, Albany tradition dictates that the bill is likely to come to a vote only when it has enough support to pass.
A little New York Law:
Amendments: Since 1777, the New York Constitution has been amended in two ways -- (1) by Constitutional Convention or (2) by having the amendment approved twice by the NY State legislature and approved by a general election.
Some more Law.
Paterson's pro same-sex marriage stance is not just beginning as many commenters think. He has always been an advocate for same-sex marriages, and has made it his pet project the entire time he's been in the New York Legislature.
See here.
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