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ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — Gov. David Paterson has urged lawmakers to
give final approval to a same-sex marriage bill when they convene in a
special session Tuesday.
This announcement comes a week after a Maine referendum soundly repealed that state's new same-sex marriage law. Although he can require the Legislature consider the bill, he can't compel lawmakers to vote. Also
on Monday, Christine Quinn, New York City's openly gay council speaker,
offered an impassioned plea for the state Senate to pass a bill
legalizing same-sex marriage. In a rare midyear address to a
joint meeting of the Assembly and Senate, Paterson also implored
lawmakers use their power to tackle the state's $3.2 billion budget
deficit. THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP's earlier story is below. ALBANY,
N.Y. (AP) — Advocates for same-sex marriage are hitting New York's
state capital hard, trying to sway the few votes needed for final
legislative approval of the bill in a special session Tuesday. This comes a week after a Maine referendum soundly repealed that state's new same-sex marriage law. What
appears to be a likely vote in New York is being forced by Gov. David
Paterson who put it on the agenda of the extraordinary session he's
calling for Tuesday. Although he can require the Legislature
consider the bill, Paterson can't compel lawmakers to vote. This makes
for a rare moment in Albany when the outcome of the floor votes isn't
clear well before the formal action. Meanwhile, same-sex marriage
advocates remain pleased that they may finally get a vote for final
legislative approval in the Senate. Still, they don't know if there are
enough votes to pass the bill. "I think a lot of senators woke up
this morning and realized a vote on marriage equality is real and could
come tomorrow," said Alan Van Capelle executive director of Empire
State Pride Agenda, statewide lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender
advocacy group. "I know about their family members who are gay
and lesbian, their friends who are gay lesbian, and at the end of the
day I believe, when this comes to the floor, these individuals will not
be able to vote against their friends and their family," he said. "Now
is the time for them to stand up and be counted. All eyes are on
Albany." The movement suffered setbacks last Tuesday in off-year elections. In Maine, a referendum repealed the same-sex marriage law. The
Rev. Jason McGuire of New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms said
Tuesday's results have shown even moderate Republicans that they can't
afford to back same-sex marriage going into the 2010 elections. He said
the group is confident they have 35 or 36 senators opposed to the
measure, which would block passage in the 62-seat house. "God
established marriage and I don't think the state has a right to
redefine it," McGuire said. But he said the concern is really about
children, who need to learn from mothers and fathers. "Marriage
is never about two people. It's about future generations," he said. "It
does affect what's good for society as a whole." Already passed
in the Democrat-led Assembly and supported by Paterson, the measure
wasn't brought to the floor in the spring because there weren't enough
votes to pass it. Democrats hold a 32-30 majority, but a few opposed
the bill on religious grounds. Republican leader Dean Skelos has
released his members to vote as they see fit, freeing them from the
usual bloc voting. Van Capelle of the Pride Agenda called Skelos a
"genuine, honest partner in this struggle," a switch from previous
years when Senate Republicans, then in the majority, killed the measure. The Pride Agenda released the names Monday of 700 clergy and lay leaders from across New York State who support the bill. Meanwhile,
the extraordinary session is setting up a showdown with between
Paterson and the Senate over how to address a $3.2 billion deficit and
allow New York to pay its December bills. Paterson hoped his rare
midyear address Monday to a joint meeting of the Legislature would draw
support for his plan to cut spending, among other measures. But
the Democrat-led Senate continues to oppose his proposal, pitching its
own plan that avoids what the conference calls painful cuts. Negotiations continue, with few deals in sight.
Associated Press Writer Valerie Bauman contributed to this report from Albany.
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