One week after Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos said Governor Andrew Cuomo’s same-sex marriage equality bill would have been voted on, and one more day of Republican caucusing, Skelos — the one man who has the ultimate power to say yes or no to a vote on the marriage bill — tells reporters, “I can’t say we’re closer.”
Reports are now coming in that Wednesday or Thursday is the vote — assuming the bill gets a vote.
What we are closer to is the end of the Senate’s legislative session. If this bill does not get a vote this week, you can kiss goodbye any hope of not only a June wedding, but a 2011 wedding.
(In truth, the bill takes 30 days to become effective after it’s signed by the Governor, but it was a little poetic.)
What’s important to know about today?
The Senate is battling over religious exemptions. Who is on the list of being included in legalized discrimination.
Republicans want anyone who claims they have a religious, moral, or “conscience” issue with doing business with same-sex couples to be exempt from prosecution, and the Democrats — along with 700 faith leaders — say the bill the way it is, especially combined with New York’s current laws, is sufficient.
Skelos was very informative tonight as he left a meeting with Governor Cuomo and NY Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver.
Skelos told reporters the issue is not just religious carve outs, but “severability.” In other words, they are working on language that makes the bill judicial hammer-proof. They don’t want lawyers and judges going back after the bill becomes law (if it does) and taking out the religious exemptions.
So in bed with the Curch these Republicans are — it’s offensive.
But that’s what you get when you mix church and state and have people like New York Archbishop Tim Dolan as the President of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.
There’s a candlelight vigil in Albany tonight for same-sex marriage equality supporters, who are outnumbered by anti-gay marriage activists, according to reports.
Then at noon Tuesday, there’s a pro-marriage equality rally as well.
If you’re in the area, go!
And if you’re a constituent of Senator Ball, pick up the phone and ask him to vote for marriage equality.
Heck, call all these Senators and ask them to vote for equality.
Stephen Saland (845) 463‑0840
Roy McDonald (518) 274‑4616
Andrew Lanza (718) 984‑4073
Greg Ball (845) 279‑3773
Kemp Hannon (516) 739‑1700
Charles Fuschillo (516) 882‑0630
Betty Little (518) 743‑0968
Also, please call Senator Dean Skelos to make clear that the people of New York — 58% at last count — want marriage equality in our state. As Senate Majority Leader he should make sure that equality for all New Yorkers is our motto.
Dean Skelos (518) 455‑3171
You can also go online and contact your Senators:
http://​www​.nysenate​.gov/​s​e​n​a​t​ors
http://​www​.friendfactor​.org/​f​s​/​5​1​186
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Oh, that poll at the top?
Despite 4 options to vote for discrimination, hate, and bigotry, thanks to the Neanderthals at upstate NY radio station WBEN, seems good people were able to select the right choice. Thanks to Courage Campaign’s Adam Bink for alerting us!
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Lastly, read Alvin McEwen’s “Are the anti-marriage equality forces in NY stalling for a reaction?“