The New York State Assembly is expected to pass a marriage equality bill this week, but one again the legislation will likely be bogged down in the Senate.The bill was unveiled last month by New York Gov. David Paterson (D) and introduced in the Assembly by Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell, a Manhattan Democrat. The bill would amend the domestic relations law allowing civil marriages between same-sex couples and is similar to one that passed the Assembly in 2007 and was stonewalled by the then-GOP controlled Senate.
Democrats now control the Senate, but State Senate Majority Leader Malcolm A. Smith (D) has said he does not have the votes to pass marriage equality legislation and will not bring the bill to a vote. Both Smith and Paterson have been outspoken supporters of marriage equality, but while Smith wants a “go slowly” approach, the governor has said a vote should be held this session.
The Assembly is scheduled to take up the bill on Tuesday and supporters believe it will get more than the 85 votes it got when it was first adopted two years ago. In the Senate where Democrats have a razor thin majority, several Democratic senators refused to back the bill, including Sen. Ruben Diaz of the Bronx. Republicans are firmly opposed to the legislation.
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