June 19, 2009Hon. Eric Adams Hon. Kevin S. ParkerHon. Neil D. Breslin Hon. Bill PerkinsHon. Martin Malave Dilan Hon. Diane J. SavinoHon. Craig Johnson Hon. Eric T. SchneidermanHon. Jeffrey D. Klein Hon. Jose SerranoHon. Liz Krueger Hon. Daniel SquadronHon. Velmanette Montgomery Hon. Toby Ann StaviskyHon. Suzi Oppenheimer Hon. Andrea Stewart-CousinsHon. Antoine ThompsonDear Colleague:The turmoil over the past two weeks is unprecedented and unsettling
.
In the aftermath of the attempted coup,
Senator Malcolm Smith has remained the Majority Leader and Senator JohnSampson has become the Conference Leader. It is a testament to the Conference that theleadership structure remained intact during this crisis. I am, however, deeply troubled by the factthat since the new leadership structure was announced, neither Senator Smith nor SenatorSampson have promised, either privately and publically, that same-sex marriage will come to thefloor and pass in the State Senate.Senator Smith and Senator Sampson have been quite vocal in their support for manyprogressive issues such as strengthening tenant protections and preserving affordable housing,safeguarding reproductive health rights, power for jobs, criminal justice reform, mental healthparity and many other important issues. Yet there has been no mention of marriage equalitysince the June 8
th
coup. This is unacceptable.I have come to the conclusion that I cannot support any Leader who does not demand thatmarriage equality come to the floor and pass in 2009. I urge that you, as a co-sponsor of themarriage equality legislation, will do the same.
PLEASE RESPOND TO:
322 EIGHTH AVENUE, SUITE 1700NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10001PHONE: (212) 633-8052FAX: (212) 633-8096
ROOM 430STATE CAPITOLALBANY, NY 12247PHONE: (518) 455-2451FAX: (518) 455-6846THOMAS DUANESENATOR, 29TH DISTRICTCHAIR:SENATE COMMITTEE ON HEALTHCOMMITTEES:CHILDREN & FAMILIESCODESCRIME VICTIMS, CRIME & CORRECTIONCULTURAL AFFAIRS, TOURISM,PARKS & RECREATIONFINANCEMENTAL HEALTH &DEVELOPMENT DISABILTIESRULESSOCIAL SERVICES
THE SENATESTATE OF NEW YORKALBANY
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