Is New York State Senate GOP Majority Leader Dean Skelos — the one person in the entire world who has the ultimate power to allow a bill to go to the floor for a vote in the New York State Senate — holding up Governor Cuomo’s same-sex marriage equality bill?
Skelos, a Republican, has said for the past few weeks that the ultimate decision rests with the Republicans in the Senate. But does that statement just give Skelos cover?
READ: NY Marriage Equality: Republican Senator Voting Yes Issues Major Warning
Reportedly, as of early Wednesday evening, there are 32 votes in favor of the bill, which would mean the bill would pass — if Skelos were to allow a vote — and same-sex marriage would become the law of the land.
Additionally, at about 11:30 AM Thursday, Skelos emerged from a long meeting with Governor Cuomo, only to say it’s up to his Republican conference to bring the bill to the floor or not, and hinted if they decide to, it could be, according to Capitol Confidential, on Friday, in middle of the night, or not at all.
Moments ago, the New York Times Albany Bureau Chief, Danny Hakim tweeted, “Skelos: senate repubs will conf #gaymarriage today.”
That’s a start. But in that meeting, they can easily say no to bringing the bill to the floor for a vote.
Which is a problem, as we know Skelos is against passage.
For over a week the Senate has been talking about religious exemption language. Yesterday afternoon, Assembly Speaker Silver called the draft of the new language “acceptable.” Why hasn’t Skelos said the same, and has Skelos even shared the draft with his fellow Republicans? Senator Ball claimed yesterday he had not seen it.
If you haven’t, now is definitely the time to contact Senator Skelos and ask him to bring the bill to the floor for a vote. Heck, even Senator Ball thinks the bill deserves a vote. So does Long.
Albany, NY 12247
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
Email address: skelos@nysenate.gov
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Long (head of the Conservative Party) most definitely think the bill should come to the floor. He has been saying the Republicans should not bring it to the floor. Most of the Republicans who say that are in favor of "civil unions" but not "marriage" (i.e., Republicans who are not willing to be labeled extremists against gay rights but who are really all that supportive of gay rights either) say that the bill should at least get a vote. I think Republicans will be much worse off in 2012 if there is no vote on this. The LGBT community will focus on picking off one Republican Senator after another if the only way to get marriage is by getting a Democratic majority — and that only requires flipping 2-3 seats. It will be an uphill climb to keep the majority as is, given that Democrats heavily outnumber Republicans in New York. NOM has threatened to fund primaries against Republican who vote for it, but they do not understand New York politics (hate does not play well here — there is no evangelical base to speak of) and they will have their hands full in Minnesota and elsewhere and will not waste their money on New York — because there will be no chance of repeal. The Conservatives have threatened to withhold support for Republicans for bringing it to the floor, let alone vote for it, but this is also not credible, because if the Republicans lose the Senate, they will lose their ability to control redistricting, and become a weak minority party — undermining ALL Conservative issues in the future — so Conservatives would be crazy to do that. Most straights who oppose Marriage Equality will get over it, because it will not affect their lives. Plus, passing the bill now will mean that there are strong religious carve outs to protect Catholic Charities, etc. If the bill waits several years for a Democratic Majority in the Senate, then there will be no willingness to compromise when the bill does finally pass, so the Catholic Church and other religious conservatives will be much worse off then if they allow a bill to pass now.
Excellent, thoughtful post.
The delay game being played only reflects badly on the Republicans, and especially Skelos.
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