ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — A top ranking Republican in New York's Senate says legislators don't want to let a much-anticipated vote on gay marriage drag into the weekend.
Deputy Majority Leader Thomas Libous says the 32 Republican senators who hold the majority in that chamber could meet behind closed doors later Friday to take up the matter after they get through other bills.
Leaders in the Senate and Assembly have been negotiating since last week with Gov. Andrew Cuomo over giving more protections to religious groups that oppose gay marriage.
The Assembly has already approved gay marriage and signaled it will approve a version of the bill that includes new religious exemptions. The Senate now must decide whether to kill it in private or let it come to the floor for a full vote.
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