His press release (4/16/09) was titled "Governor Paterson Announces Landmark Civil Rights Legislation". The press release gave a further description of the bill.

In April, Governor Paterson called again for same-sex marriage.

"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."

The release 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 (D – Manhattan) and Senator Thomas Duane (D – Manhattan) are sponsoring 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 a number of 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."

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.

Rev. Duane Motley, New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms’ Executive Director, believes that at least three Democratic Senators will stand up for traditional marriage. Those senators are Stachowski (Buffalo), Aubertine (Watertown), and Diaz (Bronx).

At the same time the Governor and his allies were holding their press conference, Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. (D – Bronx) met with Hispanic ministers and others to discuss the issue. The governor’s announcement came only one day after the installation of the Catholic Church’s Archbishop Timothy Dolan and days after the Jewish Holiday of Passover and the Christian celebration of the Resurrection of Christ. Senator Diaz, who is also a Pentecostal minister, reacted to the timing of Governor Paterson’s announcement when he 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."

Political insiders are speculating that the Governor is seeking to pump up sagging poll numbers in light of his 2010 bid for reelection. A recent poll showed him at an all time low of 26% approval rating. There are rumors that the Democrat establishment has told the governor that he has until the fall to turn his numbers around or he can forget about running in 2010. The day before Easter, Governor Paterson met with top advisers who were discussing how to improve his plummeting poll numbers and avoid a Democratic primary against Attorney General Andrew Cuomo in 2010. The strategists decided that if Governor Paterson came out strong for gay marriage that he could portray himself as a bold and courageous leader. Paterson’s leadership has taken some hard hits in recent months with the fumbling of Caroline Kennedy before Kirsten Gillibrand was eventually appointed to the senate seat held by Secretary Hillary Clinton and a very difficult budget cycle. Even the unions, usually strong Democratic allies, have come out strong against Governor Paterson for threatening to cut state jobs.

The Governor defended his timing before the same-sex marriage announcement. While in Long Island on April 15, 2009, 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.

Same-sex marriage opponents have been galvanized by the governor’s recent announcement. Rev. Bill Banuchi Sr., Executive Director, Marriage & Family Savers Institute, said, "Our organization, and other social service organizations, throughout the state are dedicated to preserving and restoring natural families for the benefit of children seeking stability, and moral structure. The redefinition of the time-tested institution of marriage will only serve to further disorient children. It will undermine the work we do every day. Our state legislators must forsake political expediency for the good of the children who do best with a mother and a father in a warm loving relationship, as reflected in all the social studies. This must be the standard promoted by our public policy, nothing less."