GOP senators delay same-sex rites decision
Those against gay marriage and those in support of it filled the hallway outside where Senate Republicans were meeting at the capitol on Monday, June 20, 2011. Lawmakers returned to work on Monday with issues like gay marriage and property tax cap still unresolved. (Paul Buckowski / Times Union) Credit: Albany Times Union/Paul Buckowski
Facing political and social pressure from all sides, Senate Republicans put off till Friday a decision on whether to bring a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in New York to a vote.
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre) last night unexpectedly adjourned the chamber at 11 p.m. after snags over a landmark property-tax cap bill brought proceedings to a halt. He said he would not tackle the contentious issue of same-sex marriage until the other major bills -- including a tuition plan for the State University of New York -- were settled.
"I want to have all the bills in print and then we'll discuss same-sex marriage," Skelos said.
The Senate is begin its session today at 9:30 a.m.
Skelos had been set to hold a lengthy closed-door session with fellow Republicans to determine what to do with an issue that might impact the GOP's narrow hold on the Senate. The legislature's top Republican had been putting off discussions until the very end of the legislative session, using that leverage to drive bargains on other issues such as the statewide property-tax cap.
But while that bought time, it also helped fuel rhetorical battles and raucous demonstrations that have filled the Capitol for the past two weeks.
Every day, Republicans have had to run a gauntlet of protesters from either side of the issue as they negotiated a U-shaped corridor that leads from the Senate chambers to the GOP conference room. Opponents sang "Amazing Grace" and "God Bless America," and held signs that read "God defines marriage." Supporters countered with "This Little Light of Mine," chants of "I am somebody!" and placards reading "Marriage Equality Now." State troopers tried to keep a center walking aisle clear.
Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has made same-sex marriage one of his three priority issues for the second half of the session. He's succeeded on a new ethics bill, while lawmakers last night were expected to approve a property tax cap.
The Democrat-led Assembly passed the marriage bill a week ago. In the Republican-controlled Senate, half the members -- 31 of 62 -- have publicly said they support legalization. If approved, New York would be the sixth, and largest, state to allow same-sex marriage.
Several Republicans have said they are undecided.
Skelos personally opposes same-sex marriage but has said he'd allow rank-and-file GOP senators to determine whether to bring the issue to a vote.Asked if he felt any obligation to hold the vote in daylight hours, the senator said: "This will be decided by the [Republican] conference, when they will bring it out. I expect it will be a lengthy conference, a thoughtful conference, like we always do. And then we'll make the decision. We're not going to work under time constraints."
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