The NY Senate continues to conference on whether to allow the ME bill to the floor. According to reports, Senator Skelos indicates there are still concerns over unintended consequences for religious institutions in marriage bill.
The Catholic church is putting on a full court press to make sure this does not come to a vote with the Archbishop of New York, Timothy Dolan calling the 'gay marriage' bill an 'Ominous Threat.
Archbishop Calls Gay Marriage Bill an ‘Ominous Threat’
Archbishop Dolan was dismissive of efforts to protect religious organizations from being affected by the legislation, which he called “a couple bones to the dog.” He argued that the rights of churches are already guaranteed by the Constitution, and that as for any additional protections drafted in Albany, “we worry that, what the government gives, the government can take away.”
“We just don’t want this definitive religious freedom to be at the mercy of some government whim,” he said.
And reading this we really need to continue making calls!
Dennis Poust, communications director for the New York State Catholic Conference, says it has a network of more than 60,000 people across the state emailing and making thousands of phone calls to senators' offices.
Read more: http://www.foxnews.com/...
Faith Leaders Say Bill Has Enough Protections
A group of more than 700 faith leaders across New York who support same-sex marriage are speaking out in response to the criticism of the language in the Governor’s same-sex marriage bill.
This from Towleroad:
...Skelos said Cuomo’s office was “receptive” to negotiating. He wants members to feel “comfortable” that, if the bill is reported to the floor and passes, no social services provided by religious organizations will be halted as a result.
“With our conference, this is going to be a very deliberative process, and members on both sides of the issue are raising similar concerns,” he said. Such additional provisions may be considered in a chapter amendment — the Assembly passed a same-sex marriage bill submitted Cuomo — or in a new bill, that would have to pass both houses.
This creates an issue of trust for Republicans: if they come up with language that makes Republican members comfortable bringing the main bill to the floor, they’d need some assurance that the Assembly will also pass it. That would require a deal with Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, and Cuomo.
Read more: http://www.towleroad.com/...
If you live in NY or have friends and family in NY your calls are still needed:
(ht, thanks for the calling list jpmassar and others)
Sen. Greg Ball (Putnam County) (518) 455-3111
Sen. Joe Griffo (Utica) (518) 455-3334
Sen. Mark Grisanti (Buffalo, Grand Island, Niagara Falls) (518) 455-3240
Sen. Andrew Lanza (Staten Island) (518) 455-3215
Sen. Jack Martins (Nassau County/Garden City) 518-455-3265
Sen. Saland (Poughkeepsie) 845-463-0840
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos (the person who ultimately decides whether a vote will be taken or not):
Albany Office
Legislative Office Building, Room 909
Albany, NY 12247
United States
Phone: (518) 455-3171
District Office
55 Front Street
Rockville Centre, NY 11570
United States
Phone: (516) 766-8383
Email address: skelos@nysenate.gov
So... first, call, second discuss!
UPDATE:
The NY Senate has adjourned until Monday.
And per a tweet from @JoeSudbay
From @NYGovCuomo presser this afternoon RT @CapitalTonight Says good progress being made on marriage #NY4M
I hope this is a good sign, sure going to make for a long weekend though! Stay tuned kids!