Cuomo: State Senate Will Hold Gay Marriage Vote

By: NY1 News

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With just days until the current legislative session ends in Albany, state lawmakers are dealing with some major issues.

Your Senator's Take On Same-Sex Marriage

For a look at where your state senator stands on gay marriage, check out NY1’s detailed Same-Sex Marriage Tracker.

Governor Andrew Cuomo said at a press conference Monday that there will be a vote on same-sex marriage sometime before next Monday.

Democratic Senators Carl Kruger, Joseph Addabbo and Shirley Huntley, who was previously undecided on same-sex marriage, will now vote in favor of its legalization.

That brings the total in the State Senate to 29 senators in favor of gay marriage and 29 opposed.

Every Democrat except Bronx Senator Ruben Diaz Sr. supports gay marriage.

Only four Republicans senators -- James Alesi, Greg Ball, Roy McDonald and Stephen Saland -- remain undecided.

The governor said that the remaining Republicans "should vote for marriage equality," claiming that 60 percent of state voters support the issue and that the Democrats' near-unity reflects New York's support of the issue.

"This is progress, we're making great progress, we're moving towards the goal line," said Cuomo. "Twenty-nine out of 30 Democrats is a powerful, powerful statement."

At a press conference with Cuomo and Democratic Conference Leader John Sampson this afternoon, Addabbo and Huntley said they decided on their votes based on surveys taken in their districts.

Kruger then said he made up his mind by keeping "an open mind... a pure heart... and a key ear" and discussing the moral implications of the measure with advocates like Manhattan Senator Tom Duane, the bill's co-sponsor.

The measure has already passed the Democratic-controlled State Assembly, but a similar bill failed two years ago in the Senate.

In a matter of extreme importance to thousands of New Yorkers, legislators are also debating an extension of the rules governing rent-regulated apartments.

Many Democrats have been pushing for stronger tenant protections, but Republicans are considering supporting a temporary extension of the current standards.

Demonstrators in support of strengthening the rent laws gathered in front of Cuomo's office this afternoon. Manhattan Senator Bill Perkins was among those arrested for refusing to stop blocking the way to the governor's office.

The current rent law expires Wednesday night.

Lawmakers are also expected to vote on the ethics reform bill today, which was agreed upon by party leaders last week.