Updating a major news development that broke over the past two days when were off: A vote on same-sex marriage is still likely to happen after Monday's dramatic Republican coup in the New York Senate.
Pedro Espada Jr., the new State Senate president says in a radio interview he personally wanted to bring a marriage equality bill to a vote. "I am for same-sex marriage," Espada tells Talk 1300 AM. "There will be no guarantees and no quid pro quos, I think there will be a vote of conscience of the senators.”
On Monday evening, and several dissident Democrats formed a governing coalition with the Senate Republicans after a coup on the Senate floor. Espada, a same-sex marriage proponent, was included along with Carl Kruger, a marriage equality foe and Hiram Monserrate, a Queens Democrat who previously supported marriage equality.
Dean Skelos, the new majority leader, opposes gay marriage but previously instructed his caucus to vote how they pleased on the issue. Newsday reports Espada "didn't disagree" and says "we should vote up or down on bills, that's part of the reforms we've brought." The previous majority leader, Malcolm Smith, vowed only to bring the bill to a floor when it has the 32 votes it needs to pass.
It is unclear if the bill has enough support to pass . NY1's vote tally has been fairly stagnant, with the last count showing 20 senators in favor, 28 against, and 14 who are undecided or won't say.
One of the questions that comes into my mind in light of recent developments in Albany is: "Given the GOP's parliamentary coup against Senate Democrats, will Governor Patterson sign ANY legislation they pass, including gay marriage?" Patterson is extremely pi$$ed off with the GOP and Sens. Monserrate and Espada. I think it more likely that Patterson will let and bills that come to him for signature, sit on his desk for the next 12 days, unsigned.
It remains to be seen if this whole sorry mess will end up in New York's highest court, the Court Of Appeals. Add to this the fact that both Monserrate and Espada (who, BTW, doesn't even live in his district) may well be on their way to prison (Monserrate for felony assault against his girlfriend, Espada for financial and ethics violations). I'm actually surprised Queens DA Richard Brown (D-Bayside) let Monserrate return to Albany at all.
All in all, none of thesedevelopments bodes well for gay marriage in the near term. Espada can crow about wanting to bring this bill to a vote, when he knows full well it isn't likely to pass, especially in a GOP-controlled Senate. In addition, the GOP coup may, in fact, be illegal, if Sen. Malcolm Smith's assessment of the situation is correct. If that does turn out to be the case, any legislation they "Pass" will be null and void.
What a way to do the people's business!
Posted by: Nathan James | 10 June 2009 at 08:19
I am still trying to wrap my senses around such a clandestine move. I know, I know, it's politics, but, everyone seems to be side swiped by this. I just can't help but think though that the Dems were resting on their laurels while the Repubs went to work undermining the machinery in Albany. I agree with Nathan, marriage equality in NY is now at a stand still.
Posted by: Brien | 10 June 2009 at 11:02