UPDATED
Buffalo news station WGRZ is reporting that the marriage equality vote could take place in the New York Senate as early as today:
"A spokesperson for State Senator Dale Volker
says the controversial same sex marriage bill could be voted on today
in the senate. As for the battle to plug New York's multi-billion dollar budget
crisis, Governor David Paterson says negotiations with lawmakers are
over and he's taking the deficit into his own hands by reducing and
possibly delaying state aid to schools, hospitals and local government
services. However, lawmakers say progress is being made in closed door
meetings."
"Senate aides confirmed what several Democratic Assembly members just
learned: A deal to close more than $2.8 billion of the estimated $3.2
billion deficit has been hammered out by the governor and legislative
leaders, and could be voted on tomorrow. The deal includes the “spinup” of federal stimulus aid from next
fiscal year to the current year, but includes no midyear cuts to
education. The package reportedly includes no new taxes and features
health care cuts that don't result in a loss of federal matching
dollars. The other potentially big news: The Senate is prepared to hold the
long-delayed vote on gay marriage if the deficit reduction package can
be put to bed in time tomorrow. Since the bill would pass in
extraordinary session, the Assembly would have to debate and vote on
the measure despite the fact that it passed marriage equality
legislation months ago."
And Elizabeth Benjamin at NYDN is now reporting that the DRP deal is in chaos. If there's not a vote on that, there won't be a vote on marriage. So, could be a few days.
Will update as any more info comes in…
