Paterson to Senate: Vote on Marriage

New York governor David Paterson has urged the state senate to revisit a bill that would legalize same-sex marriage in the Empire State.

The proposed legislation was already passed by the Democrat-controlled state assembly. However, after a monthlong deadlock in the senate at the end of the previous session, members avoided addressing the marriage bill.

Senate Republican leader Dean Skelos told CBS News that his party has no formal position on the bill. Democrats have a 32-30 majority, but gay marriage has proved to be a divisive issue for the party.

The senate will meet within weeks for a special legislative session.