Withers: NY senate expels Monserrate

Hiram Monserrate has been expelled from the New York Senate. The Queens Democrat, who was convicted last fall on misdemeanor domestic assault of his girlfriend, had little support from his colleagues who voted overwhelmingly, 53 to 8, to give him the boot.

The Monserrate saga is another black eye on a …

NY judge tosses Senate case back to lawmakers

(Albany) A judge says he won’t rule on last week’s takeover of the New York Senate by a coalition of Republicans and dissident Democrats, which leaves gay marriage and other issues up in the air.

State Supreme Court Justice Thomas McNamara is dismissing the case, saying it’s improper for the court …

Chaos in the New York senate

Republicans try to take control of the NY senate, may thwart marriage and GENDA efforts.

Vanasco: Gay marriage used as bait in NY Senate

WNYC is reporting that the uproar in the New York Senate continues. Now, the two Democrats who voted with the Republicans to start a “coalition” government are saying they will bring gay marriage to a vote on Monday – so that Democratic senators will be forced to come to the …

Chaos in the New York senate

Republicans try to take control of the NY senate, may thwart marriage and GENDA efforts.

Smith says NY Senate lacks gay marriage votes

ALBANY, N.Y. – New York Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith said Saturday that his Democratic conference lacks enough votes to legalize gay marriage this year, but he’s committed to passing a gay marriage bill soon.

Smith said in remarks prepared for a Human Rights Campaign event in Manhattan that he strongly supports equal marital rights for gay couples.

“Although we don’t have the number of votes at this time needed to pass the marriage equality and gender bill this legislative session, we are committed to pursuing its passage when we have the votes,” said Smith, of Queens.

But his confirmation that he lacks enough votes is likely a disappointment for gay rights advocates, who had hoped gay marriage would pass after Democrats took control of the Senate in the November elections. See Smith says NY Senate lacks gay marriage votes
Newsday, NY