Deep South Radio

The longest night of the legislative year ended up being abruptly cut short – leaving New York hanging not just on the open question of gay marriage, but also on questions that were thought to have been settled long ago.

The Senate adjourned after 10 p.m., despite senators’ repeated assertions they intended to debate into the wee hours of the morning. But it was clear by 9:30 p.m. that there was no agreement on the exact language for several major bills, including an omnibus bill that included rent regulations and a property tax cap, SUNY 2020 tuition increases – or same-sex marriage.

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(Source: nycapitolnews.com)

“You haven’t got any whistles in there, have you?” a security guard at the Capitol entrance asked three same-sex marriage advocates as they emptied their pockets to walk through the metal detectors.

“No, we’re very quiet,” said one, who was carrying both ChapStick and posterboard signs.

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(Source: nycapitolnews.com)

The fate of same-sex marriage in New York hinges on the fate of negotiations between Senate Republicans and Gov. Andrew Cuomo over protections for religious institutions – after similar changes were able to win three “yes” votes from former opponents in the Assembly.

Assemblyman Nelson Castro was one of three religious Democrats who changed their position last week as the Assembly passed a gay marriage bill 80-63 and sent it to the Senate, where it remains one vote shy of approval.

“I think marriage should be between a man and a woman, but I don’t have the right to prohibit others to have the right to get married,” said Castro, 39.

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(Source: nycapitolnews.com)