Progress Not Congress

With the strong backing of New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo and the Democratic controlled State Assembly, a same-sex marriage law is now before the State Senate. If passed by the Senate, the bill would be signed by Cuomo and would make New York the sixth state to recognize some form of same sex marriage or civil union. Reuters reports only one vote separates the bill from passage.

The bill would legalize same sex marriages but would not mandate that any individual or religion be forced to perform such marriages. The bill does not address any issues in family law or divorce law. It is not a comprehensive revision of all the statutes that apply to marriage in New York.

The most prominent opponent of the bill is the Roman Catholic Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan. He spoke about the issue most recently in a Sunday service at St. Patrick’s Cathedral. In 2008, Cardinal Egan spoke out in opposition to then-Gov. Eliot Spitzer’s proposal. In 2009, the bishops of New York State issued a statement reaffirming their opposition to same sex marriage.

The Catholic Church is not the sole opposition to same sex marriage in New York. Other religious groups, including Orthodox Jews and many historically black churches, are lobbying Albany against the bill. Hispanic clergy from 150 churches have rallied against the issue. The National Organization for Marriage plans on delivering thousands of signed petitions to the State Senate expressing voter opposition to same sex marriage.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting the Capitol is jammed with citizens rallying on both sides of the issue. Republican Senators will meet in a closed session prior to the Senate considering any action. Republicans control the Senate and it is believed the swing vote for or against same sex marriage will be by a Republican.

Today is the last day that the State Senate is scheduled to be in session. It must act on a number of “hot button” topics such as a property tax cap, renewing rent control legislation for New York City and the same-sex marriage bill. It is not clear that the Senate has reached an agreement on any of these issues. The possibility does exist that the Senate will adjourn without passing some or all of the measures still before it.

Upstate New York resident Charles Simmins brings 30 years of accounting and finance experience and a keen interest in military affairs to the news of the day. His years of experience working with the personnel of the Secretary of Defense’s New Media activity on Bloggers’ Roundtables provide insights often overlooked by other reporters.

Tags: Andrew Cuomo, Cardinal Egan, Roman Catholic Archbishop, Same Sex Marriage, Samesex Marriage, Timothy Dolan