Gov Says "Roadblocks" Cleared, But Still No Albany Gay Marriage Vote

Though the tone of much coverage has been hopeful ("The Senate appears to be on the brink of a vote on marriage equality... they reconvene at 9 pm," said Towleroad), the state senate hasn't done anything about the gay marriage bill yet. The assembly happily voted, for the second time and with a wider margin of victory, to support it, but the Governor is not allowed to take two assembly votes in lieu of one from each house. Nonetheless Paterson says "we have cleared the roadblocks away" and expects this latest special session to include a vote.

Gay marriage opponent Ruben Diaz Sr. says he's praying for a defeat, but inaction by state senators is not a conclusion that requires divine intervention.