New York: Bruno's Replacement "Not on Record" Regarding Gay Marriage
His name is Dean G. Skelos, he represents Rockville Center, a relatively upscale Long Island community (Bruno represented Brunswick, in the very conservative upstate capitol district).
Three data points:
1. This site, the reliability of which is unclear, lists Skelos as “not on record” regarding same-sex marriage.
2. He did, however, vote against a gay civil rights bill in 2002.
3. On the other hand, he was a leading sponsor of a recent bill to make noose displays a hate crime: “There is no place for racism and intimidation in America.”
In any case, my earlier observation is unchanged: Even assuming that the Republicans maintain their wafer-thin majority in the State Senate, Skelos would be entering the triumvirate from a position of weakness, and with a far different set of priorities. If Governor Paterson and Speaker Silver press the issue, it is hard not to see Skelos capitulating on allowing a vote on gay marriage — which would very likely pass.
Stay tuned…
Filed under: Gay Rights and Issues, New York City & State, Politics