Spitzer plans same-sex marriage bill

NEW YORK, April 22 (UPI) -- Gov. Eliot Spitzer plans to introduce a bill in the New York Legislature to legalize same-sex marriage in the state, his spokeswoman told The New York Times.

Spitzer has supported same-sex marriage in the past and promised during his 2006 campaign to introduce legislation to legalize it in New York. However, he did not mention the issue in his State of the State speech in January or in a briefing this month during which he discussed his priorities for the balance of the legislative session scheduled to end June 21, the newspaper said.

Spokeswoman Christine Anderson told the Times Spitzer would keep his campaign promise.

"The governor made a commitment to advance a program bill, and he will fulfill that commitment during this legislative session," she Anderson.

Some form of civil union for same-sex couples is in effect in several states. Same-sex marriage is legal in Massachusetts, and Connecticut lawmakers are debating whether to legalize same-sex marriage.

Speaking with reporters recently, Spitzer acknowledged that same-sex marriage would face tough opposition in the Legislature.

"I think most who are close to the issue would agree with me that it's not likely to be passed in the next nine and a half weeks," he said.