By Bert Gambini & Eileen Buckley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wbfo/local-wbfo-974274.mp3
Albany, NY – State lawmakers return to work Tuesday expected to resume discussions on the gay marriage bill.
One of the key sticking points appears to be how much freedom to grant to religious groups.
Two Republican state senators saod no decision has been made on the fate of a gay marriage bill for New York. After a three-hour closed-door meeting Monday, the senators said the issue is tied up in negotiations with other matters, including rent control in New York City and a statewide property tax cap.
The Assembly already approved the same-sex marriage bill. But the senate is examining some religious protections. Assemblyman Sam Hoyt of Buffalo was a guest on Monday's edition of the Capitol Pressroom with Susan Arbetter.
Hoyt said he believes the Assembly would be willing to approve amendments in order to get a same-sex marriage bill approved.
"I think I can say, on beahlf of the conference, we are prepared to do whatever it takes...our bill is a better bill, but in the end, if there are amendments we will review them and I suspect we will act affirmatively to get it done," said Hoyt
The majority Republican conference has yet to send the gay marriage bill to the Senate floor or kill it.
Hundreds of demonstrators on both sides of the gay-marriage issue filled the halls of the Capitol Monday Senators continued their debate.