Subscribe to Breaking NewsWithers: What will happen now to marriage in New York?
Albany, New York’s capitol’s city, has a proud history of political capers. What happened yesterday, the Republicans taking control of the Senate with the assistance of two Democrats, will go down as the boldest political power play.
The twists and turns of power grabs are of little concern to most of our readers (alas). You all want to know what will happen to gay marriage. A fair question, and the answer is no one knows. First contrary to popular opinion, the defection of the two Democrats, Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens, had little to do with the Senate work on marriage rights. Espada, as reported by the New York Times, is one of the co-sponsors of the legislation for same sex marriage (many of our commentators who went daft on their keyboards yesterday need to send Espada an apology). It is still unclear why Espada and Monserrate crossed over. They say it was due to their concerns about Malcolm Smith’s Senate leadership. Others, the cynical mean types, think yesterday had more to do with the legal troubles of the pair.
Some New York pols however, are still optimistic about marriage rights getting a vote.
“I believe that it’s still coming regardless of who controls the Senate,” said Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell. “Every year more Americans and more New Yorkers support my right to a marriage license.”
Something to pay attention to is the relative silence about yesterday’s events from marriage rights advocates such as state Senator Tom Duane and the Empire State Pride Agenda. This strikes me as politically savvy. Best to wait to find out what all of the mess means before making anything public.
UPDATE: A few minutes after I posted ESPA’s executive director, Alan Van Capelle, issued a statement asking the Senate to hold a vote on the marriage bill.
“It is time to bring marriage equality and these other LGBT issues to the Senate floor for votes and have members vote their conscience. We urge the Senate to schedule these votes as soon as possible before the end of the legislative session.”
Hmmmmmm. Seems New York politics is as screwy as always. I was really hoping for a vote (even if it failed) so we can see who needs to be kicked out of office come 2010 (dem or repube).
It look’s like to me that the Republicans took control of the Senate with the defection of the two Democrats, Pedro Espada Jr. of the Bronx and Hiram Monserrate of Queens,because marriage equality in NY looked closer that it even been,all a bunch of homophones
I wouldn’t get your hopes up on the bill being on the Senate’s business agenda.
It’s not politically wise for a Republican party leader in the NYS Senate to allow discussion on this topic. Regardless of how they personally or their own constituents feel about same-sex marriage, their continued leadership of the caucus depends on continued support from other legislators in the caucus.
The Republican caucus is less willing to entertain the discussion of same-sex marriage legislation than the Democratic caucus is, and bringing it to a vote may result in the Republican who holds the office of Majority Leader finding himself or herself significantly decreased in authority when the anti-equality members of the caucus consider removing them
Kari is right to be cautious. But it’s also true that NY Republicans are as obsessed with gay marriage as national Republicans. The GOP leader had already said caucus members could vote their conscience on the issue. It’s also true that Espada is sharing power with the GOP leader and may have some sway on this, especially if he wants to make himself look more effective than the deposed Democratic leader.
…NY Republicans are ***NOT*** as obsessed with gay marriage as national Republicans…
Sorry
New Yorkers–at least in Cleveland, I can point to the rednecks and hilljacks and bible-thumpers south of the Turnpike as the reason why the Ohio legislature is so troglodytic and homophobic. (That, and the fact that Cleveland keeps its corruption closer to home.) What’s your excuse?
If I’m not incorrect, NY recognizes out of state and foreign marriages. So if you REALLY need to be married right now, a quick trip across the border to Canada or into New England will still be possible even after the Rethugs kill marriage equality (for now)
i’m not sure what this switch is about. It is not only about gay marriage. One of the dems that switched and is now senate president is for gay maarrige. I am not sure about the other. Intrestingly the most vocal anti-gay marriage senator (Diaz) remains a dem. Also of interest is that both Dems that switched are under indictment? And what the deal between Diax and Smith not to be bring the bill to the floor for a vote unless pasage was assured?
Meant to say:…..what about the deal between Diaz and Smith…..
Republican NY State senators were worried about what would happen to them when they allowed a vote / supported SONDA (the Sexual Orientation Non-Discrimination Act), so while the Assembly was passing the bill every year with ever-increasing lopsided margins, the Senate didn’t allow a vote until 2002, at which point SONDA passed easily. None of the republicans who supported SONDA paid a political price for it, something they will hopefully remember when it comes to marriage equality.
Rocco, the state high court in New York will decide this fall whether the state, for sure, recognizes out-of-state marriages. While lower courts and the Governor have said so, the court will get the final say. So it is not at all definitive that New York will ultimately recognize out-of-state same-sex marriages.
I’ll believe it when I see it.
I’m sure that these two Senators will have big up hill battle on next election, because they abandon the Democrats and the voters, because they are dishonest themselves. And they evaded the problem. Bad news….keep the gay marriages on the votes!!! Don’t let it stop!!!