The Gay Empire State

[JohnnyLongtorso]

I still think they're going to put all the blacks in Buffalo into Tim Kennedy's district, so it probably won't matter either way.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

I still think they're going to put all the blacks in Buffalo into Tim Kennedy's district, so it probably won't matter either way.

But that just means that the white Democrats in Kennedy's seat end up in Grisanti's, so while the seat is significantly less Dem, it's not enough to make a difference. I played around on DRA and the best you can get that district is like 62% Obama without endangering nearby Republicans is like 62% Obama.

[Mopsus]

How lovely. They're quite ridiculous though, as anything can be used as a "slippery slope" argument. If a man can marry a woman, why can't he marry two? What about three? Where does it end?

I like the 'slippery slope' argument in reverse: if same-sex couples are denied the right to marry today, who's to say opposite-sex couples won't be denied that right tomorrow? Pretty soon, no-one will be allowed to marry!

[Cincinnatus]

How lovely. They're quite ridiculous though, as anything can be used as a "slippery slope" argument. If a man can marry a woman, why can't he marry two? What about three? Where does it end?

I like the 'slippery slope' argument in reverse: if same-sex couples are denied the right to marry today, who's to say opposite-sex couples won't be denied that right tomorrow? Pretty soon, no-one will be allowed to marry!

With the disturbingly high divorce rate, you might be on to something

[JohnnyLongtorso]

I still think they're going to put all the blacks in Buffalo into Tim Kennedy's district, so it probably won't matter either way.

But that just means that the white Democrats in Kennedy's seat end up in Grisanti's, so while the seat is significantly less Dem, it's not enough to make a difference. I played around on DRA and the best you can get that district is like 62% Obama without endangering nearby Republicans is like 62% Obama.

Actually, now that I'm looking at it, the easiest thing to do might just be to screw Grisanti over by drawing him into a super-Democratic district in Buffalo with Kennedy, then create a new seat in the northern Erie County/North Tonawanda/Niagara Falls area. Or he could just move north.

[I spent the winter writing songs about getting better]

That'd still be a swing district at best. There's just no way to limit the Democrats to only one seat in the Buffalo area.

[Thomas D]

"I don't want to be in a battle. But waiting on the edge of one I can't escape is even worse."

JUST TAKE THE VOTE ALREADY. THE STRESS IS KILLING ME!

[specific_name]

I actually signed up for a twitter account just to tell my senator, Greg Ball to vote yes... even though I know he's just grandstanding and will vote no. How else would the young ambitious neofascist* from the 40th district get on CNN, than to pretend to be a swing vote.

*I kid, he's more of a reactionary boyscout.

[hawkeye59]

Why doesn't this Cuomo guy promise the Republicans a good map in exchange for gay marriage. Then, after gay marriage passes and when the Republicans draw a map, Cuomo vetoes it sending it to the courts and screwing the Republicans over?

Talking about New York politics won't help you with the ladies.

[Smash255]

Deals have been struck on the other major issues 9property Tax cap, rent control SUNY Tuition)

The issue on the Marriage equality bill remains the religious protections, which of course is already including in the bill itself and current NY law.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/21/in-albany-big-three-agree-on-most-issues-except-gay-marriage-vote/

[Holmes]

Well, yes, grandstanding over an issue that's already addressed in the bill is a sign that it won't come up.

[Holmes]

Vote could be held tonight. But, well, in legislative terms, "tonight" could mean tomorrow, or never.

http://blog.timesunion.com/capitol/archives/72053/silver-sees-session-end-today-ready-for-ssm-tweaks/

32nd vote also "secured", apparently. Says vote could be in the wee hours of Thursday. Doesn't say who it is though, understandable since if you're the deciding vote, and a Republican, I'd wanna keep it under wraps too until the vote.

http://www.knickledger.com/2011/06/32nd-vote-secured-for-marriage-equality/

[Smash255]

Despite language in the bill already that has religious protections as well as state law, the religious protection argument is the main excuse used on why no commitment to bring the bill up for a vote has been made, well it appears that additional religious protections have been added.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2011/06/24/albany-leaders-reach-consensus-on-religious-exemptions-for-marriage-measure/?hp#


Of course we were basically down this road before, so lets see if a vote is actually held or if Skelos comes up with another excuse.

[Holmes]

This Greg Ball fellow seems insufferable. He made this whole debacle about himself, when he never really played a role in the first place. Ha. I'd rather have ten Rocco Rossi's than one Greg Ball. Actually, maybe not. Anyway, he's voting no (surprise), but he thinks it'll pass anyway.

[Smash255]

The bill will come to the floor for a vote tonight according to Skelos

http://mobile.newsday.com/inf/infomo;JSESSIONID=9C5820245253E30CE416.3122?site=newsday&view=top_stories_item&feed:a=newsday_1min&feed:c=topstories&feed:i=1.2981913&nopaging=1

[Landslide Lyndon]

Mike Long concedes that the bill will pass.

http://www.weeklystandard.com/blogs/new-york-conservative-party-chairman-predicts-passage-gay-marriage-bill_575521.html

[Holmes]

Exciting night!! I don't know if I wanna watch it though, too nervous. Ha.

Of course, opponents are claiming defeat now, in the case that it doesn't pass, it gives them more to gloat about. Annoying. Should be a nail bitter!

[JohnnyLongtorso]

Yeah, I'm not going to believe anything until it's actually passed.

[Progressive]

Anyone know around what time it should come to a vote?

[ilikeverin]

Oh my goodness.  The diversity in dialects in New York State is adorable.  The guy who's talking now would fit right in Michigan.

[Smash255]

Anyone know around what time it should come to a vote?

The rent regulation, property tax cap is being voted on and discussed now, SUNY bill was earlier.  So shouldn't be all that long.  Link to the live feed is below

http://www.nysenate.gov/live_today

[Joe Republic]

Meanwhile, in Clinton county, legislator Sam Trombley (R) has an opinion he'd like to share:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

Because as we all know, allowing gay people to form long-term monogamous relationships is by far the best way to spread HIV.

But Mr. Trombley continued:

You must be logged in to read this quote.

[Progressive]

No sound, suspicious

[Smash255]

No sound, suspicious

They called for a short recess earlier, though it is beyond the initial 15 minutes, my guess is they are just finishing up with the recess.

[Progressive]

No sound, suspicious

They called for a short recess earlier, though it is beyond the initial 15 minutes, my guess is they are just finishing up with the recess.

Hope so. Everyone's made up their mind I think. Do you think it will pass?