New York Staleate Ends as Espada Goes Back to Democrats - Will Gay Marriage Get a Vote?

The month-long stalemate in the New York state senate ended as abruptly as it began on Thursday, when Sen. Pedro Espada, Jr announced his return to the Democratic caucus, forgoing an alliance with the Republicans that split the chamber 31-31 and stalled the passage of all legislation, including the marriage equality bill. Under the arrangement that resolved the impasse, Democrats will maintain the narrow 32-30 majority they held before the leadership struggle erupted on June 8, and Espada will be their majority leader, though insiders expect a delay in passage of the marriage equality bill. While senators started to pass long-delayed legislation as early as Thursday evening, it remained unclear whether they would take up the marriage equality bill anytime soon. The bill passed the assembly in May and is supported by Governor David Paterson. Senator Thomas K. Duane, the openly gay Democrat who carries the marriage equality bill, issued a statement on Thursday in which he said the he expects the senate this week will “pass only time-sensitive, non-controversial legislation.” Full Story from The Advocate

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