New Hope for NY Marriage

Timothy Kincaid

June 13th, 2011

The man who tells you that he can predict what Albany will do is either a fool or a liar. However, there is some very promising last-minute news out of New York. First, the NYTimes tells us that the last Democratic Senator holdouts (other than Sen. Diaz) have pledged support:

The three Democratic senators — Joseph P. Addabbo Jr. and Shirley L. Huntley of Queens and Carl Kruger of Brooklyn — all voted against the measure in 2009, when it failed by a wide margin. Their switch to the yes column leaves all but one Senate Democrat supporting same-sex marriage — and the fate of the legislation in the hands of the Republican majority in the chamber.

This brings the total support count among Democrats to 29. The bill needs the support of at least 3 Republicans to reach the 32 majority. But the New York Post reports that this may be more than possible.

Seven or more Senate Republicans have signaled Gov. Cuomo that they’re ready to legalize same-sex marriage, more than enough to put the controversial and historic measure over the top this week, The Post has learned.

A highly knowledgeable Senate insider said yesterday that “far more of the [GOP] members are in play than anyone realizes, including some surprising names from conservative upstate areas.”

Among the unexpected potential Senate Republican “yes” votes, insiders say, are Kemp Hannon of Nassau County, Charles Fuscillo of Suffolk County, Betty Little of Glens Falls, Andrew Lanza of Staten Island, Greg Ball of Putnam County, James Alesi of Rochester, and Roy McDonald of Rensselaer County — all of whom helped defeat gay marriage when the vote was held in December 2009.

Of course, all of that can change in a heartbeat.

UPDATE: Republican Senator James Alesi has confirmed that he will vote for marriage

“I am doing this on my own initiative. I really am not down here because I have been guaranteed that we will have enough votes to pass this. It is my hope, not just here in New York State, but all across the nation that if a Republican senator can stand before his constituents and say that he supports marriage equality, that he supports equality for all Americans without regard for their gender or their sexual preference that we can start here in New York State and look at it as is a national initiative that America is for Freedom and equality.”

Jeremy

June 13th, 2011

AP’s reporting that Alesi is the first Republican to be on board as well: http://www.fairport-erpost.com/latestnews/x1534032141/State-Sen-Jim-Alesi-R-Perinton-says-hell-support-gay-marriage

Down to 2 votes. Last I saw there were 6 other Republican maybes.

AnonyGrl

June 14th, 2011

http://www.newsday.com/news/breaking/spin-cycle-1.812042/alesi-gay-marriage-will-pass-with-35-votes-1.2956335

Alesi is saying he think it will pass with 35 votes. Cuomo also thinks he has the votes. Skelos is saying that he wants Republicans to vote their conscience, not party lines… and tomorrow we find out if they will do so. If they let it get to the floor for a vote, that would seem to be a good indication that they think it will pass…

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