Gov. Paterson Promises Marriage Vote

NY Gov. David Paterson said yesterday that he will make sure there is a vote on marriage equality in the state Senate before they break for the summer. Paterson is calling for a special session tomorrow, but said that marriage equality will not be on the agenda.

The development came as the governor announced plans to call the Senate to a special session on Tuesday, after trying unsuccessfully for two weeks to broker a compromise in a leadership battle that has deadlocked the chamber. But Mr. Paterson dismayed gay rights groups in his comments at a news conference early Sunday afternoon, when he said same-sex marriage would not be on the special session’s agenda. “It has always been my intention to see same-sex marriage come to the floor,” he said, adding, “I don’t want there to be any confusion.” Barring a last-minute settlement between the factions, the governor will convene the special session on Tuesday. The chamber was left in its first 31-to-31 tie after Pedro Espada Jr., a Democrat from the Bronx, claimed the title of Senate president when he joined a Republican-led coup earlier this month. “If the senators do not cooperate with this order, I will convene a special session every day until they do,” the governor said at the news conference. “That includes Saturdays and Sundays. That includes July 4. There will be no excuses.”

Paterson is scheduled to be Grand Marshal of this Sunday's NYC Pride Parade.