Updated 06/14/2011 10:04 AM
Major development in gay marriage debate
Major developments came Monday in the fight for same-sex marriage legalization. Four previously undeclared senators, including one Republican, said they would vote yes on the measure. That still leaves Gov. Andrew Cuomo two votes shy of the needed 32 votes to approve a major goal of his six-month-old administration. Cuomo is confident votes in the Republican-led Senate would be available.
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ALBANY, N.Y. -- "This is a very significant development, comes at a very important time. We're right down to it with the last week and this is a big change," Cuomo said.
The most stunning development of the day was Monroe County Republican Sen. Jim Alesi declaring that he would vote yes. Alesi cast a visibly anguished no vote in 2009.
"I don't know if this will create leadership or not. That's not my point. My point is simply to say that two years ago I anguished over the vote and this year I'm voting my heart and my conscience," said Alesi.
Cuomo, meanwhile, plans to introduce a bill soon -- a clear sign that he's confident the measure would be successful in the Senate. He said it's now up to undeclared Senate Republicans to support the measure.
"I believe they should support marriage equality. You're look at 29 out of 30 Democrats. You're looking at state where 60 percent of the people of this state support marriage equality," the governor said.
There are at least three Republicans left who say they haven't made up their mind. Sen. Andrew Lanza says his no vote could change.
"I'm a no, but I'm talking about it, just trying to ascertain whether that's the right place to be. I've put a lot of thought into it and I want to end up doing the right thing," he said.
Gay-marriage advocates say Alesi's yes vote is a sign the measure is gaining momentum.
"We're pleased this is now being heard on a bi-partisan basis. We now have senators on both sides of the aisle standing up saying this is the right thing to do. We think that only adds to the momentum in the strong environment we're in right now," said Ross Levi with Empire Pride Agenda.
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Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos says his GOP conference is yet to discuss the bill, but says he supports letting it be voted on so there can be a conscience vote.