New York's State of Mind

As lawmakers in Albany debate a same-sex marriage bill for the Empire State, officials in Suffolk County are moving to extend spousal benefits to the same-sex partners of county workers.

Steve Levy (pictured), a government official in the Long Island county of Suffolk, confirmed to Newsday that his county is all but certain to extend leave time for family illness, bereavement, and child care to county workers should their same-sex partners get sick, pass away, or have children. The measure should affect about 180 county employees. Unions representing the county employees will need to sign off on the benefit change to finalize it and are expected to do so.

The extension of benefits comes as New York governor David Paterson is urging his legislators to pass a same-sex marriage bill. Meanwhile, a gay state legislator from Suffolk County -- Democrat Jon Cooper -- is working on legislation that would extend spousal benefits to gay couples married in other states.

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