By Eileen Buckley
Albany, NY – State senate republicans abruptly ended their session in Albany just before 11 p.m. Thursday, failing to take up the issue to legalize gay marriage in New York.
The senate leader said it was for the "health of members. When they return Friday, they still have several other bills to deal with before they discuss a same-sex marriage bill.
Thursday, President Barack Obama praised New York State lawmakers for debating the issue of legalizing gay marriage. Obama appeared Thursday night in New York City at a fundraiser. He said he believes gay couples deserve the same legal rights as every other couple in the country. But Obama stopped short of endorsing gay marriage outright.
Two other important bills remain on the agenda for Friday, a SUNY tuition increase and property tax cap, before they can consider legalizing same-sex marriage.
If state lawmakers approve same-sex marriage, the state would become the sixth in the nation to legalize gay marriage.