Momentum is growing for marriage in New York. The timing of the vote in the Senate is unclear, but it will be this week, possibly Friday, per the Senate Majority Leader:
"My position is it's a vote of conscience, and it should come to the floor, subject to a vote of the conference," Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Long Island, said. "My guess is that's going to be a Friday issue."The Assembly, which has passed the marriage legislation in previous sessions, also has to vote this week. Albany being Albany, the vote could happen at any time, but Friday seems to be the day most often mentioned.
Big news yesterday was the addition of a new GOP Senate supporter, Roy McDonald (R-Saratoga) . We need one more Senate GOPer - and there are several in play. And, I have to say, seeing this quote from Assemblyman Danny O'Donnell was an excellent sign. Danny is (and has been) the sponsor of the marriage bill in the Assembly and has been a key player in the debate for years:
At least four of McDonald's fellow Republicans are considering voting for the bill, prompting widespread optimism that the Legislature is about to cross the threshold of history.I don't think we can understate the importance of winning marriage in New York. And, there's no referendum process to thwart the progress. If the marriage bill passes, based on the language submitted by Governor Cuomo, "This act shall take effect on the thirtieth day after it shall have become a law." (That's the last line of the bill.)
"I've moved from cautiously optimistic to outright optimistic," said Assembly bill sponsor Daniel O'Donnell.
GOP Sens. Greg Ball (Putnam), Andrew Lanza (S.I.), Stephen Saland (Poughkeepsie) and Mark Grisanti (Buffalo) say they're open to voting "aye."
