What this means: The same-sex marriage bill, which passed the Assembly for the third time last night with virtually no debate and a 88-51 vote, is teed up and ready to be moved to the floor of the Senate for debate.
We're told that the bill is now certain to come to the floor sometime after the DRP passes. (Also on tap: Tier 5 and public authorities reform). But whether it has the 32 votes necessary to pass is anyone's guess.
One Senate Democratic source expressed confidence, saying:
"We said from the start that we weren't going to take it up until we had the votes to pass it, and we're taking it up today."
UPDATE: The Senate just sent out the following statement from Democratic conference spokesman Austin Shafran:
"The Senate will reconvene in extraordinary session today at which time it intends to vote on the deficit reduction plan, Tier V pension reform, public authority reform, and marriage equality legislation."
The debate will be streamed live here.
Those responsible for whipping the Republican vote said last night that if the Democrats could get to 29 or 30 votes from their conference, the GOP would be able to push the bill over the finish line.
Advocates were expressing confidence that the Assembly vote would provide them sufficient momentum headed into today's Senate session, but things were looking pretty touch-and-go behind the scenes.
A veritable flotilla of gay activists and pro-marriage lobbyists were working frantically deep into the night and early this morning.
Sources said three key Democrats were the focus of considerable attention: Joe Addabbo, a freshman from Queens; Brian Foley, also a freshman, and one of just two Democratic members in the GOP-dominated Long Island conference; and George Onorato, a veteran lawmaker who also hails from Queens.
Addabbo and Foley have both refused to be publicly pinned down on how they would vote on marriage. Both of them were elected last fall in a cycle that saw gay advocates pour more than $1 million into the Democrats' coffers to help them take the Senate majority.
Addabbo, whose district is fairly conservative (it was represented for years by former Republican Sen. Serphin Maltese) is of particular concern because his is the first vote on the Senate roll. If he votes "no," the thinking goes, it could cause a domino effect.
A Senate source said Addabbo has been the subject of a full-court press. He's receiving calls from high-level public officials urging him to vote "yes".
I know Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand has been calling around, but I'm not sure she called Addabbo. Other electeds involved in the lobbying effort include AG Andrew Cuomo, I'm told.
Onorato has been relentlessly targeted by grassroots activists who have been showing up at his district office to urge him to reconsider his "no" vote on marriage.
Sources said pro-marriage interests have pledged to support him if he faces a primary next year - two names often mentioned as potential challengers: Assemblyman Mike Gianaris and outgoing Councilman Eric Gioia.
Source:nydailynews.com/
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