Albany, NY – Legislators worked methodically Friday to clear away a raft of standard bills to make way for a pivotal gay marriage vote as advocates and Republicans who hold the key agreed on one thing: They don’t want the much-anticipated decision to drag on much longer.
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Security was tight in the Capitol as opponents and supporters of same-sex marriage clogged the marble hallways after a week of rising tensions and great expectations.
Deputy Majority Leader Thomas Libous said the 32 Republican senators who hold the majority in that chamber could meet behind closed doors later Friday to decide whether to send the bill to the floor for a vote after they get through other bills.
Libous, a Broome County Republican, said GOP senators don’t want to further stretch the 2011 session, which was supposed to have ended Monday. He said that if the caucus sends the gay marriage bill out, it could be voted on Friday.
Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver is an Orthodox Jew and observes the Sabbath, which means he won’t work between sunset Friday and sunset Saturday. The Assembly is expected to approve several amendments to provide greater protection for religious groups from discrimination lawsuits as a result of a gay marriage law.
There is acute interest nationally in what happens in New York, heightened by the timing: This weekend, events are scheduled around the country to celebrate gay pride, culminating Sunday with parades in New York City, San Francisco and other cities. Democratic Gov. Andrew Cuomo very publicly attended last year’s gay pride parade in New York with his daughters, which drew sharp criticism from his Republican opponent in the race for governor.
Senate Democrats say the Republicans are mismanaging important bills, including gay marriage.
is the shomer shabbos assemblyman in favor of this law?
How does he decide which mitzva Doraisis he supports. Shabbos yes, same X no????
He’s in favor of ANYTHING that gets him elected again. Unfortunately, his district is no longer mostly Jewish. He’s got to cater to whatever buys him votes. He’s the worst thing that could’ve happened to the state of NY. He should’ve been kicked out ages ago!
the shomer shabbos assembly speaker has to vote what the majority of the assembly members want.its not just HIS decision. he is the speaker for ALL of the assemblymembers of new york sstate.
why cant people understand this?
he doesnt just say and do what he feels on his own behalf. as speaker he MUST represent ALL the members.
anon, if you get more info on the responsibility of the speaker of the assembly you would know that he votes as the majority of the assembly want him to vote.
I hope he enjoys eating his kigel tonight knowing that he openly transgressed a prohibition in the Torah of ” lifnei iver lo sitein michshol” among other issurim such as a chilul Hashem of the highest order
charlie it is not covered by insurance ask a time or bonia olam that helps pay for it man you talk out of your hat and yes to have a frum jew who didnt want to let an erev on the lower eastside because of rav moishs position but pushes thru this this garbage sorry he should be removed he is the REASON NY is the highest taxed state and near bankruptcy
oh yeah medicaid doesn’t cover it either check your facts what does is give money to do nothing organizations that we new yorkers pay for
While I find the bill highly objectionable, I don’t see how it will lead to further abhorrent behavior. I assume that those who want this are already engaging in this deviance without matrimony. Soon they will want to legalize beastiality.
oh please, if only people who post here had real background info. they would not be saying bad things about shelly.
he is a wonderful person and his work is a Kiddush Hashem
you guys keep posting yet do not understand what i have posted TWICE about the speaker representing the votes of ALL the assemblymembers.
Glad to hear New York voted for marriage equality. Our freedom depends on respecting the freedom of others.
Ok… The gay marriage bill has now passed by 4 votes just before shabbos. The governor will sign the bill early next week and it will be the law. Can we now move on to some really important issues for the heimeshe community such as job training funds, rent subsidies and better housing for large families etc. and stop trying to tell others how to live their lives. Obviously, the shevah mitzos bnai noach are not viewed as gospel by the new york assembly and senate. Yiddeshe politicians need to focus on whats important to their constituents.
Now that the bill has become law, its time for many opponents to read the actual legislative languge that Cuomo signed last night. The final version includes provisions to protect anyone who is opposed on religious grounds from having to participate either directly or indirectly in gay marriage ceremonies. No rav will be required to be masader kiddushin for a gay couple and the the simcha halls will not be required to rent their facilities for gay chasanahs.