I’m not sure if you’ve been paying attention to what’s been happening in the New York State Senate lately, but the short of it is that it’s been a mess.
All politics aside, one of the biggest tragedies of the fighting in Albany has been that some important pieces of legislation have been essentially stalled. You all remember when Governor Patterson introduced the Gay Marriage bill? Well, additionally, important reproductive health legislation was up for vote this session: the Reproductive Health Act.
Joan Malin, the President and CEO of Planned Parenthood of New York City has issued a statement urging the Senators to get back to work. Because whichever party you belong to, we can all agree that women’s health is important, right?
Here’s her statement:
“ I urge our Senators to start cooperating, for the good of the people of New York.
The Reproductive Health Act is one of many essential pieces of legislation that has now been tabled thanks to partisan politics.
This legislation would, after 40 years, remove abortion from New York State’s penal code, ensure that our state’s abortion law includes an exception when the health of the mother is at stake, and reaffirm that every New Yorker’s is able to decide when and whether to have a child.
The vast majority of New Yorkers – 75% across the state according to the most recent polls – support this legislation. Before the Senate devolved into chaos, this bill had majority support from Senators on both sides of the aisle.
New Yorkers of every political stripe can agree on one thing: women’s health and lives are important.
It’s time for the New York State Senate to pull themselves together, and do what’s best for New York’s women, children and families. “
What do you think? Have you been following the political drama? What do you think will happen next?
