Cuomo Helps Groups Mobilize for Gay Marriage Bill

[LetTimmySmoke]

Source: New York Times

Gay rights groups, which suffered the stinging defeat of a same-sex marriage bill in New York State in 2009, will publicly mount a new campaign for the legislation starting this week, relying on the popular Democratic governor, Andrew M. Cuomo, to overcome Republican resistance and their own history of poor coordination.

Under the supervision of the governor’s staff, the groups intend to raise more than $1 million for a media blitz, hire a powerful political consultant close to the Cuomo administration and deploy field organizers to the districts of more than a dozen key lawmakers to drum up support, according to interviews with those involved in the effort.

In contrast to their failed drive for a marriage bill two years ago, the advocates envision a short, disciplined and intense run-up to a vote in the State Legislature, raising the prospect that gay couples may be allowed to wed in New York by early summer.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/04/20/nyregion/cuomo-helping-rights-groups-on-gay-marriage-effort.html?partner=rss&emc=rss

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The Marriage Equality movement has always been somewhat of a ragtag force organization-wise. I know this having worked against prop 8. It would be quite interesting to see how this fares with a professional disciplined campaign. If marriage equality does succeed in NY, then everyone else around the country take note.

[iandhr]

1. I hate to say it.

But its not going to pass. GOP holds the state senate and there were many dems who voted against the bill last time. Maybe NY should pass a civil union law then you even might be able to get the votes of one or two moderate Republicans. Then when people see the sky did not fall down like the bible thumpers said it would pass marriage equality. Thats the may Vermonters did it.

[humanityisfree]

2. I hate to say this

but Cuomo has shown himself through his across the board budget cuts in his 2011 budget (Cut 50% funding for Runaway and Homeless Youth Services & Deliquency Prevention - to take effect over 2 years. This after those services have been cut a total of 30 % since 2009 and massive cuts in education) to be a DINO.

He knows that this will not pass and is pandering to the Democratic Base - pretending to do in good faith what he knows will not make it through the legislature. Then he can take it off his list of to-do's with the other progressive items that we all thought he would take on in earnest when we voted for him. Thanks Mr. Cuomo. My vote for you is one I wish I could take back...

NY TIMES article on school cuts:
http://www.nytimes.com/2010/03/23/nyregion/23budget.html

Information regarding the Runaway and Homeless Youth & Delinquency prevention cuts:
http://www.unhny.org/advocacy/pdf/UNH%20NYS%20FY%202010-2011%20Enacted%20Budget%20Summary%20_2_.pdf

He has it out for state workers and the teacher's uniions too - just wait and see...