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Paterson Suddenly Patient About Gay Marriage
By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 23, 2009
Modified Apr 23, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Apr 23, 2009
Modified Apr 23, 2009
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One week ago, Governor David Paterson announced that he was proposing forth gay marriage legislation, "For too long, LGBT New Yorkers have been told to wait for their civil rights and personal freedom. We will not wait any longer. Now is the time for action. Now is the time for leadership... We have to have a debate. We have to have a vote." Yet his remarks yesterday made it seem like the Governor is "backpedaling" or "softening" his effort to have the bill up for a vote.
Newsday reports that Paterson is fine with State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith's plan "not to put a same-sex marriage bill to a vote without knowing it would pass." Paterson, who had previously suggested that a debate should be had whether or not the bill will pass, said, "On this particular bill, there are a lot of other issues related to it. Senator Smith knows the inertia of the Senate better than anyone else... I'll stick with his final judgment."
The inertia being that Smith knows he doesn't have enough votes for gay marriage to pass, especially with the Gang of Three Democratic Senators who are against gay marriage. Paterson also said yesterday, "My point was not to dictate to Senator Smith what he should be doing. I've got enough problems. My point was just to raise an issue which I think has just frustrated me in my days as a legislator."
Tagged
civil rights
gay marriage
governor paterson
state senate
Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations
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