Gov. Paterson Reverses Stance on Gay Marriage

04.23.09 | FL News Team

New York Governor David Paterson is reversing course and ending his push to make the Empire State the next state to legalize gay marriage. It was a week ago that Governor Paterson introduced a same-sex marriage bill, calling on the state Senate to hold an up or down vote, no matter the outcome.

The governor now says he will stand by Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith's decision to not bring the measure to the floor with its passage in doubt. Democrats hold a two-seat advantage in the state Senate, but several Democratic lawmakers publicly stated their opposition to the bill.