Governor Cuomo held a news conference this evening and discussed the status of his same-sex marriage equality bill, stating, “We have not hit any obstacles,†in the talks with the three undecided Republican State Senators. The Governor says of religious exemptions, lawmakers are “[w]orking on that language now,” and that he is “cautiously optimistic.”
WATCH: NY Same-Sex Marriage Supporting GOP Senator Born This Way: The Lady Gaga Video
Capital Tonight adds, via Twitter, “No agreement on language for #samesexmarriage amendment that would add religious exemptions, says Senate official.”
READ: NY Same-Sex Marriage: Early Evening Update – Some Positive News
Politicker New York writes,
“When asked if he had 32 votes — some reporters Tweeted a 32nd vote had come forward but could not be named — Cuomo was noncommittal.
“I don’t have any votes. I’m not in the vote business, as you know,†said Cuomo.
“I’m cautiously optimistic,†he said, “that there are going to be enough votes there. There’s only one way to find out: when they call the votes. And there can be a lot of discussion and a lot of speculation but until a person stands up and their vote is counted, you don’t know.â€
No, indeed, you don’t.
Which is why we must have a vote.
Interestingly, Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver has seen a draft of the language and calls it “acceptable,” but for some strange reason, Senator Greg Ball, who flirted with “opening the door” to considering voting yes, claims he hasn’t seen it. The language, not the door, although it’s probably safe to assume the reverse is true.
As expected, it all comes down to Dean Skelos, the Senate Majority Leader, whom some suggest is stalling…
A vote tonight? Doubtful. Thursday?…