MASS. SENATE BOSS PLANS TO DELAY GAY MARRIAGE VOTE: From the Boston Globe

Fearing the contentious issue might become a distraction, Senate President Robert E. Travaglini plans to delay a vote on gay marriage until as late as the fall to allow the Legislature time to focus on a busy agenda that includes health care, the budget, and job creation, senior legislative sources said yesterday.

Travaglini's decision has not been made public, but those familiar with his thinking say the Senate leader wants to give the newly reorganized House leadership time to focus on the budget and other measures before he calls a constitutional convention on the proposed amendment to ban same-sex marriages and allow same-sex civil unions.

Senate minority leader Brian P. Lees, an East Longmeadow Republican, confirmed yesterday that Travaglini had decided to delay the convention. A second Senate source also said Travaglini plans to wait until the fall. The Senate president is the presiding officer over the constitutional convention. ...

Supporters of the amendment banning gay marriage need 101 votes to pass it and send it to the ballot. A Globe analysis last month, taking into consideration the fall election results and the recent resignation of three legislators who opposed same-sex marriages, indicated that supporters of gay marriage appear to be gaining ground.

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