Greets and saluts from the NYC metro area. Still no deal on the NYS marriage equality act (gay marriage bill) or rent control, but both bills are now linked to each other and a deal will likely be struck this week to allow passage of both. For now, the legislature is passing one-day extenders on rent control as they haggle over the new limits on income and rent increases/surcharges that can be imposed. Most of the GOPers want to see the law continued at the current limits, while Democrats and NYC GOPers want the higher income limits so as to keep the rent control program from releasing more units to market rate.

The MEA is being held up over language that would protect religious groups, particularly those that operate meeting/banquet halls to insulate them from liability over refusing to grant access to gay weddings.