N.J. Sen. Majority Leader says gay marriage vote would be irresponsible if passage unsure | New Jersey Real-Time News - - NJ.com

In case you thought we may actually get a win in New Jersey:

"The Gloucester County Democrat, speaking at the New Jersey State League of Municipalities conference in Atlantic City, said he thought gay marriage was an important social priority, but the economy takes precedent.

The politically sensitive issue had created sparks between two of the state Senate’s heavyweights - Sweeney and Sen. Loretta Weinberg (D-Bergen), who was Gov. Jon Corzine’s running mate.

As legislators try to finagle votes for one side or another, Sen. Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) said he would not bring the bill up for a vote in the Senate Judiciary Committee -- even though enough people in the committee supported it to pass -- unless the Democrats could prove they had the votes to pass it outright. Sarlo, who said he did not necessarily support the bill, said he would not 'stand in the way of progress' if there were enough votes.

On Wednesday, Sweeney had appeared to say same-sex marriage should be put aside in favor of the economy, and Weinberg accused Sweeney of reneging on a promise. She said she was 'urging our current majority leader to honor the commitment he made to me to move this important civil rights bill forward.'

'We have the ability in the Legislature to talk about this bill and address the economic crisis at the same time', she said.

Today, Sweeney agreed"

What are the odds that New Jersey passes a marriage equality bill this month? Not likely. They should have done it back when they had the chance, before they lost Corzine.