New Yorks Governor Cuomo Continues Pushing for Gay Marriage
Andrew Cuomo, the governor of New York, has kicked off a state tour to highlight his legislative agenda for 2011.
Marriage equality is one of the priorities, along with a property tax and ethics reform.
The Democrat governor hopes to press people to support his aims and pressure lawmakers about them.
He said in a statement: “Our entire team is going to travel the state to speak directly to New Yorkers about the issues that can move this state forward, and it begins in Syracuse.
“We need to pass a property tax cap, ethics reform, and marriage equality during this legislative session. The clock is ticking, but when the people speak, the politicians will listen. We will assemble a broad coalition of New Yorkers to support this agenda and work tirelessly to get it passed in Albany.”
The Advocate reports that Mr Cuomo’s office has not released further details but judging by past tours, he may reference marriage equality in high-profile speeches and send deputies to speak with LGBT audiences around the state.
Last month, Mr Cuomo told gay rights campaigners he will devote his “full attention” to marriage equality.
Speaking to campaigners in a closed meeting, he reportedly said: “For me, this is personal.”
MEANWHILE It’s unclear whether it will advance through the Assembly (or whether Speaker Sheldon Silver might wait for the Cuomo bill, or whether there’s a switch-a-roo….) but Danny O’Donnell included this sentence after the happy quotes in his press release: “In order to ensure the bill has the time necessary to be taken up by the Assembly before the end of this year’s session, Assembly Member O’Donnell plans to circulate A7600 among his colleagues for co-sponsorship until May 25th.”
We’ll see how the next two weeks go. To me, this indicates something of a rift between legislators who have been championing the bill — O’Donnell and Sen. Tom Duane — and the new lobbying front, with which Cuomo is closely coordinating.
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