Governor David Paterson put the wheels in motion to alter the state's policy on gay marriage Wednesday.

The governor has begun directing all state agencies to revise policies in order to recognize same-sex marriages.

In response, the head of the state's Conservative Party said that it is planning on a legal challenge to this initiative.

The governor's legal counsel said gay couples "should be afforded the same recognition as any other legally performed union." The memo said agencies could be violating state human rights laws if they do not recognize the unions.

The revisions would involve hundreds of statutes -- from joint tax returns to collecting a deceased spouse's pension.

It comes in response to a state Appeals Court ruling in February in a case where a woman who was legally married in Canada was denied health benefits by her employer.

The move is one of the strongest steps the state can take in favor of gay marriages short of an act by the Legislature.

Gay marriage is currently legal in Massachusetts, Canada, Spain, and starting on June 17th, California.