His press release (4/16/09) was titled “Governor Paterson Announces Landmark Civil Rights Legislation” and had the subtitle, “Marriage Equality Legislation will end legal discrimination against same-sex couples – Bill recognizes fundamental civil right of marriage.”  The press release gave a description of the bill.

Gov. Paterson Announces Introduction of Same-Sex Marriage Legislation

“The bill would amend the Domestic Relations Law to give same-sex couples the opportunity to enter into civil marriages. It would mandate that all provisions of State law be construed to encompass same-sex marriages, consistent with the legislation’s intent, regardless of whether they use gender-specific or gender-neutral terms. As a result of this legislation, same-sex spouses would enjoy the same legal status and treatment under New York law as heterosexual couples, on issues such as property ownership, inheritance, health care, and insurance coverage.”

It also noted that:  “The Program Bill builds on the Governor’s previous actions, including a memorandum he issued last May, which directed State agencies to afford recognition to same-sex couples legally married outside of New York to the full extent permitted by law.”

The New York State Assembly passed a similar bill in 2007, but it died in the New York State Senate.  Assemblyman Daniel O’Donnell and Senator Tom Duane will sponsor the bill.  O’Donnell is confident that the Assembly will pass the bill again this year.  

Senator Duane is confident that he has the votes needed to pass the bill in the Senate, claiming that several Republicans have indicated to him that they will support the bill.  Scott Reif, Republican Senate spokesman, said, however, “The conference [Republican senators] has been opposed and continues to be opposed to this issue.”  

Rev. Duane Motley, New Yorker’s for Constitutional Freedoms’ Executive Director believes that at least three Democrat Senators will stand up for traditional marriage:  Senators Stachowski (Buffalo), Aubertine (Watertown), and Diaz (Bronx). 

Senator Malcolm Smith, the Senate Majority Leader, has indicated that he would only bring the bill to the Senate for a vote if it has enough votes to pass.  It does not appear that there are enough votes to pass the measure, but some Republicans might change their vote when pressured by homosexual activists.

At the same time the Governor and his friends were holding their press conference, Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. met with Hispanic ministers and others to discuss the issue.  Before the meeting, Senator Diaz, who is also an Pentecostal minister, told the press: 

“I think it’s a laugh in the face of the new Archbishop.  The Jews just finished their holy week.  The Catholics just received the new Archbishop.  The evangelical Christians just celebrated Good Friday and resurrection.  He (Governor Paterson) comes out to do this at this time?  It’s a challenge the Governor is sending to every religious person in New York and the time for us has come to accept the challenge.”

Others are speculating that the Governor is seeking to change the discussion from his cuts and the budget.  A recent poll showed him at an all time low of 26%.  There are rumors that he has until the fall to turn his numbers around or he can forget about running in 2010.

The Governor defended his timing before the release.  While in Long Island on Wednesday, the Governor stated, “The timing was always right.  It's just who is willing to take that step, and I am.”  He continued, “I think it is, as other states are showing, the only ethical way to treat people who want to live together in peace under the civil law.  So my general feeling about all these issues is the right ethical decision will inevitably be the right political decision.”

He also noted that he was introducing the proposal with “the winds at our back,” referring to the recent approval of same-sex marriage in Iowa and Vermont.But do the majority of New York State citizens want to fundamentally change the definition of marriage to include same-sex couples?  A Quinnipiac University poll last week showed that only 41 percent of New York voters support same-sex marriage.