NY Gov. Paterson to reintroduce same sex marriage bill

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New York Gov. David Paterson and opponents of same-sex marriage square off for another round tomorrow.

Patterson is making another push to legalize same-sex marriage in New York by introducing the same bill that died in 2007 and which opponents vow to kill again.

Patterson seeks to tap into the momentum of other states that have recently allowed same-sex couples to wed, but the measure will face stiff opposition in the Legislature.

The Democrat-controlled Assembly passed the bill 85-61 in 2007, but it died in the Senate, where the Republican majority kept it from going to a vote.

The Democrats gained a 32-30 majority in last November’s elections. Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith says he still doesn’t believe there are enough votes to pass it.

Paterson says gays and lesbians in civil unions are denied a host of protections such as health care and pension rights.

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