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New York Gov. David Paterson Calls a Special Session; Shocks Same-Sex Marriage Supporters
On Sunday, June 21 Governor Paterson announced if the senators do not reach a consensus by the end of session he will order a special session for Tuesday, June 23, where the senators will be required to attend.
There are 41 bills left to vote on, including a bill that was proposed earlier in this session to legalize same-sex marriage. The governor has said that he will be putting neutral topics on the floor and emergency bills to vote.
This extra time in session can cost the taxpayers of New York up to two million tax dollars.
Governor Paterson is hoping to push through the most pertinent bills right now. However, same-sex marriage rights are not included as emergency legislation. Governor Paterson is known for backing up same-sex marriage and being an advocate for LGBT rights. Some were astounded to hear the same-sex marriage bill will not be placed on the floor in these next few days for a vote, including myself. If equality for all, truly ridding our government of discrimination, is not emergency legislation, then I need someone to explain to me what is.
Governor Paterson said he hopes to pass the same-sex marriage bill in the coming weeks.
Yet, it will not be a part of the special session if one is needed on Tuesday. The governor is taking heat for this decision from many supporters of the bill and LGBT community itself, but his main focus seems to be making sure the GOP and democrat senators are able to make a decision. They are not required to vote on the bills presented, but they will be required to show up. I think it should be required that everyone be treated the same.
Mary Catherine Benge is a writing student from Austin, Texas. You can find out more about her by finding her on facebook.
8 Responses to New York Gov. David Paterson Calls a Special Session; Shocks Same-Sex Marriage Supporters
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westsider321
June 22, 2009 at 1:17 pm
Sandita, looks like the governor beat you to the punch with his clarification yesterday that marriage equality will, in fact, be addressed in the special session. This is a terrific development and will absolutely make history if it passes.
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Sandita
June 21, 2009 at 9:52 pm
I know that Governor Paterson has always voiced a great deal of support for the gay/lesbian community of New York, but it is interesting to me that equal rights for all of the citizens of New York is not considered to be a “serious governance issue.” Maybe we need more than someone who voices support. Let’s see some action.
bqedriver
June 21, 2009 at 8:57 pm
Gotta love the firmness of Governor Paterson here. He is laying down the law and its about time these senators
got what’s coming to them.
And I can’t believe my ears when I hear the criticism he’s receiving for excluding the equal marriage bill from the special session.
There has been no greater supporter of same-sex marriage than Governor Paterson. He alone has noted that it takes political will to make it a priority of the legislature – something he has done and I am sure will continue to do so like no champion of civil rights issues.
What I’m sure Governor Paterson meant was that he is simply trying to solve the very serious governance issue in New York by getting both sides in the Senate back to work without the immediate task of having to focus on issues that can be potentially even more divisive.