New York Gov. Paterson defers to Senate leader on gay marriage

by The Associated Press
Wednesday April 22, 2009

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) -- New York Democratic Gov. David Paterson says he'll go along with whatever the Senate's Democratic leader decides is the best way to win passage of legislation to legalize gay marriage.

Both Paterson and Sen. Malcolm Smith of Queens back the legislation. Paterson has urged putting it on the floor of the Legislature for debate and an uncertain vote. But Smith wants to wait until he secures the 32 votes needed for passage in his chamber, and he has been missing a few.

Talking to reporters Wednesday, Paterson says Smith "knows the inertia of the Senate better than anyone" and he'll "stick with his final judgment." the rest

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