Democrat Commends Equal Marriage Ruling

Rochester, New York – May 6, 2008.  Democratic Minority Leader Harry Bronson (D - Rochester, Brighton, and Henrietta) today applauded the New York State Court of Appeal’s decision to reject Monroe County’s frivolous appeal of the recent Appellate Division ruling in favor of recognizing the marriage of a Monroe Community College employee and her spouse.
 
“Today’s landmark decision from the Court of Appeals is a monumental step in promoting our area’s rich history of being at the forefront of many civil rights battles,” Bronson stated. “There is simply no legitimate reason for our friends, neighbors and loved ones to be denied the rights and responsibilities that are derived from a stable, legally recognized marriage.”

The administration’s appeal may also have negative consequences to our local economy, Bronson said. However, today’s ruling may serve to reduce the administration’s self-inflicted economic bungling. “By extending these rights and responsibilities the County, following the example of most companies in the private sector, would recognize the value of their employees. The importance of affording quality of life standards will encourage people to live, work and stay in our community as contributing taxpayers, resulting in true taxpayer protection by stabilizing our tax base,” Bronson explained.

“This ruling is further evidence that the spirit of collaboration frequently touted by this administration is, in fact, non-existent. The administration simply does not understand the overwhelming desire in our community for a government that can work together without regard to ideology. It’s time for the politics of division to end and for the politics of unity to begin. By halting their outdated, divisive rhetoric against gay and lesbian residents of Monroe County, the administration can start down that path to unity and begin addressing real issues like the $29 million budget crisis created by the so-called FAIR plan,” Bronson added.