Paterson: Waiting for the Senate on Same-Sex Marriage

At a fund-raiser for Tom DiNapoli in the Roosevelt Hotel last night, I asked David Paterson whether he’d like to see same-sex marriage legislation introduced during this legislative session.

There's now strong indication in the wake of the Gang of Three deal that despite earlier promises, Democrats in the State Senate won't move to pass it.

Paterson recalled how he supported legalizing same-sex marriage while running as lieutenant governor in 2006, and said, "We are ready to have it passed any time.”

Which really means, as he said moments later, that he plans to act "if the legislature ever passes it.”

UPDATE: In a recent interview with The Advocate, State Senator Tom Duane predicts same-sex marriage legislation will pass before Paterson's 2010 re-election.