Will They or Won't They?
November 10th, 2009
Gov. David Paterson gave it his last big push yesterday in the form of an address to a join session of the state legislature.
“I will mortgage my political career on this plan,” Paterson said. “But I will not mortgage the fate of the State of New York.”
And now the stage is set for a special legislative session at noon today.
Paterson wants an agreement to cut the state’s growing budget deficit, but the state Senate is solidly opposed to Paterson’s deficit reduction plan, which would cut funding to schools and health care. Senate Democrats have suggested an alternative plan that would eliminate Paterson’s harsher cuts and replace them with one-shot cash-creation strategies such as refinancing the state’s tobacco bonds and reducing the state’s reliance on consultants.
There is also no agreement between the legislature and Paterson about the size of the budget. Negotiations among all sides continued last night, but a resolution does not seem likely by today’s session.
Just in case saving the state from financial ruin wasn’t enough for the state’s often troubled legislature, Paterson has a list of other issues he wants the legislature to consider. These include property tax reform, reform of the pension system and legalization of same-sex marriage.
Advocates have been pushing for a vote on gay marriage all year, but opposition from key Democrats including Sen. Ruben Diaz, Sr., has stopped the issue from coming to a vote for fear it would further erode the Democratic majority.
Mayor Michael Bloomberg got involved last night, urging the legislature to act on the matter. “I understand the hesitation that some may have to undertake such a change,” he wrote, “but this is an issue that cuts across traditional divides. The issue is not the exclusive domain of libertarians, liberals or conservatives; it is a matter of removing the state as a barrier to personal relationships; it is a matter of basic fairness; it is a matter of family stability.” Bloomberg’s message is not likely to persuade any Democratic Senators who have been sitting on the fence.
The Citizens Union of the City of New York demanded last night that the bill legalizing gay marriage be brought to an open floor vote.
“Senate President Pro Tempore Malcolm Smith, Majority Leader Pedro Espada and Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson should do the right thing and bring the bill to the floor to allow for open debate after which Senators can vote their conscience,” wrote Citizens Union director Dick Dadey. ” Too much of the legislative calculus and political negotiation of this issue has taken place behind closed doors.” The Gotham Gazette is published by the Citizens Unions sister organization, the Citizens Union Foundation.
But as the hour nears for the special session, it seems less and less likely that the Senate will act. In fact sources say that there are not enough votes to pass the measure. Some Senators insist the matter will be more easily dealt with one the budget situation is taken care of. Advocates say that they have waited enough to see the Senate vote.
By David King on November 10, 2009, 11:54 amIn category: Albany, Eye on Albany | 1 Comment »


November 10th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Is this the place to comment on putting a So-called “study” by the Manhattan Institute on Gotham Gazette, without saying it is a right wing place and no refutation of so-called “findings”? Shocked.