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Nick Reisman
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Posts by Nick Reisman
Diaz: I Was Misquoted!
Jun 21st - 10:38 am
Sen. Ruben Diaz, D-Bronx, claims he was misquoted on Monday when asked if though same-sex marriage was an inevitability.
Diaz, a Pentecostal minister and avowed opponent, responded in the affirmative.
Today, he claims the press misquoted him and took that statement out of context. Only his clarifying statement still suggests he thinks same-sex marriage will be legalized in New York.
From his release:
For the sake of accuracy, this is what I said:
“Because the Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo is making the Republicans do what the Democrats could not do when they were in the majority, the Republicans are bending to the Democratic Governor and gay marriage is inevitable in the State of New York.”
Diaz also says he was “amazed” with the speed at which he was misquoted.
“The press took one phrase from my comment and as a result it has appeared in this morning’s newspapers completely out of context,” he said.
Silver: Yes, Frustration Is Setting In
Jun 20th - 7:16 pm
The gridlock at the Capitol today probably isn’t getting resolved any time soon.
Yet another three-way leaders meeting convened and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver and Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos emerged from Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s office to say nothing’s been agreed to.
“Nothing has been resolved in terms of rent, in terms of a property tax cap,” Skelos said.
Silver, asked by a reporter “at what point frustraion sets in” responded, “I’d say it has set in.”
Still left to be resolved is a property tax cap and rent control for New York City, both onerous and tricky issues.
Silver has said the issue of the tax cap, which is obstensibly aimed at helping upstate and suburban homeowners, is now completely linked to the rent control laws for New York City.
The Legislature is expected to approve yet another temporary extender measure for the rent regulations through Tuesday.
All three measures — the tax cap, the rent control bill and the same-sex marriage bill — are considered linked in that a domino effect will be created once one measure passes. It’s also possible both measures may be consolidated into one omnibus bill in order to accomplish both measures at once.
It’s also tough recalling the last time all three leaders spoke to each other at the same time twice on the same day (the budget battle, perhaps?).
If anything, there
Cuomo Sends Up New Rent Extender
Jun 20th - 6:18 pm
It’s extender time once again here in Albany.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo sent up another temporary rent-extender measure, which continues rent control laws and regulations for New York City until Tuesday at midnight.
Rent control is scheduled to expire tonight at midnight, part of a three-day extender that the Legislature approved over the weekend.
The extender bill all but guarantees we’re back here Tuesday, even though the regular legislative session is scheduled to conclude today.
NYers For Marriage: We’ll Be Here Tuesday
Jun 20th - 6:12 pm
New Yorkers United For Marriage, the coalition of advocacy groups formed to push for same-sex marriage, announced this afternoon they plan on holding a rally at the Capitol.
The rally would come the day after anti-same-sex marriage advocates clogged the hallways at the Capitol singing hymns and chanting against the measure.
The coalition also says what we all know at this point — that the Legislature won’t end its session today as originally planned.
“There are a number of issues still to be resolved in Albany, which means the Legislature will be staying beyond today’s June 20th deadline. We are heartened that there continues to be respectful and productive dialogue on the issue of marriage equality and believe we are getting close to a vote on the Governor’s marriage bill. New Yorkers United for Marriage asks you to join us at a Rally for Love and Marriage tomorrow –Tuesday June 21 — at noon outside the State Capitol in Albany. Together, we will make sure that all New Yorkers will soon be able to marry the person they love.”
Skelos: Religious Protections Being Worked On
Jun 20th - 4:40 pm
Senate Majority Leader Dean Skelos, R-Nassau County, emerged from a three-way meeting with Gov. Andrew Cuomo and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, D-Manhattan, to say that discussions were continuing on working out the religious exemption language in a same-sex marriage bill.
“We have staff people and members discussing with the governor religious protections. We’re still working on them,” Skelos said. “Once they’re prepared we’ll let you know what they are.”
As Skelos notes in the video below, it was the first three-way meeting between Cuomo, himself and Silver in several weeks. No deal has been made on rent control yet, either, however the governor apprarently offered a two-year deal on rent control, but it received a lukewarm reception.
Later, Skelos said he expected to remain in Albany for several more days in order to lockdown the outstanding issues.
ESPA’s Levi: We’ve Got Clergy Here Too
Jun 20th - 4:10 pm
The Empire State Pride Agenda’s Ross Levi, one of the leading gay advocacy organizations, pointed out in an interview this afternoon that there are members of clergy here at the Capitol who support same-sex unions, too.
I think the senators know that people care about this issue and are engaged. It certainly helps for them to see the people who are affected by this, loving couples, parents who want to take care of their kids. It’s very helpful for legislators to see.
As we noted earlier, today is a busy and very noisy day at the Capitol, with hundreds of advocates holding demonstrations for and against same-sex marriage.
The talks remain deadlocked, with Republican lawmakers seeking broader religious exemptions in the measure. Earlier today, Republican Sens. Kemp Hannon, Steve Saland and Andrew Lanza met privately with Gov. Andrew Cuomo.
The threee lawmakers have met with Cuomo to discuss a potential chapter amendment to the measure. Lanza, the only senator to comment after the meeting, said he didn’t expect a vote today on the issue.
Tyree: Legacy Not Imperiled By Marriage Stance
Jun 20th - 12:48 pm
Super Bowl hero and former New York Giant David Tyree is in Albany today to lobby against same-sex marriage legalization, saying that he doesn’t begrudge former teammate Michael Strahan for holding an opposite stance.
“It doesn’t bother me at all,” Tyree said. “I understand their desire for a push. But I just don’t agree to call it marriage.”
He also defedned his own stance, saying he was unconcerned whether it would affect his legacy.
We need to take the opportuntiy to stand up for what we believe as far as our convictions as believers, as athletes, as Christian athletes.
Noisy Protests Engulf Capitol
Jun 20th - 11:41 am
Here’s the view from outside the Senate Republican offices, where pro and anti-same-sex marriage advocates are gathering.
There’s been singing, hymns, clapping and lots of yelling.
The Rev. Jason McGuire, of the traditional marriage group New Yorkers for Constitutional Freedoms, said he couldn’t estimate how many advocates were gathering at the Capitol today from his side, but the groups include Baptists, Jewish groups and members of the black clergy.
Also among them is former New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree, who is adding some star power. Pro-gay marriage advocates have utilized a very active campaign of using celebrities who support same-sex marriage in advertisements and TV commercials.
Tyree’s former teammate, Michael Strahan, released a video earlier this month in support of same-sex marriage.
The measur remains deadlock in the Senate 31-31 and Senate Republicans continue to huddle in close-door conference.
McDonald Raises From Yes Vote
Jun 20th - 9:43 am
In the wake of his announced “yes” vote for same-sex marriage, Sen. Roy McDonald has unveiled a facebook page called “Stand With Roy” and urges supporters to donate and sign a petition.
The page itself has more than 10,000 “likes” Monday morning.
A website, www.standwithroy.com, includes a spot for fundraising.
McDonald, a Saratoga County Republican, is one of two GOP lawmakers who say they plan to vote in favor of Gov. Andrew Cuomo (the other yes vote comes from Sen. Jim Alesi), making same-sex marriage one vote shy of passing the Republican-led chamber. When McDonald announced he was said he was unconcerned about the impact it would have on his re-election chances.
The lawmakers’ announcement, along with his blunt responses to questions about same-sex marriage, made him something of a star. He was featured on the gossip website TMZ over the weekend.
The Rev. Duane Motely, a foe of same-sex marriage legalization, said last week candidates have come forward to challenge McDonald in a primary, but he refused to identify them.
Cuomo: One Thing At A Time
Jun 17th - 7:16 pm
Gov. Andrew Cuomo urged patience on the remaining agenda items, saying that rent control for New York City must be resolved as soon as possible.
Outstanding issues include same-sex marriage, a tax cap, a SUNY tuition increase and his pension reform bill.
Cuomo also said there were enough religious exemptions in his same-sex marriage bill, adding that what he’s seeking a civil matter, not a spiritual one.
“I happen to be a Catholic and that’s my business and that’s my religion. This has nothing to do with my beliefs as a Catholic. This is marriage in a civil context. Marriage defined by government, not be a religion,” Cuomo said.
Here’s video from his press gaggle (which, after a temporary rent control measure was approve, is now a little dated):
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