New York fights back on guns and abortion after Supreme Court rulings

Enshrining the right to abortion in the state constitution will be more difficult. Amending the state constitution is a years-long process that begins with passage by the legislature. Then, after a general election, another session of the legislature must pass the amendment before it is presented to voters in a ballot referendum.

Key results from the 2022 New York primary

On June 28, New York held several primaries for statewide offices, including for governor and lieutenant governor. Some State Assembly districts also had primaries.

But lawmakers took a first step Friday when the Legislature passed the Equal Rights Amendment, which, along with guaranteeing abortion rights and access to contraception, prohibits the government from discriminating against anyone based on a list of qualifications, including race, ethnic affiliation, national origin, disability or gender — specifically marking sexual orientation, gender identity and expression and pregnancy in the list of protected conditions.

Some of the protected classes in the measure’s language appear to be awaiting future rulings from the court, which also indicated last week that it may overturn cases establishing the right to same-sex marriage, consensual same-sex relationships and contraception.

“We’re playing a legislative game with the Supreme Court,” said Sen. Brad Hoylman, a Manhattan Democrat. “Every time they come up with a bad idea, we’re going to counter it with legislation at the state level.”

“Civil liberties hang in the balance,” he added.

New York Republicans, who hold little sway in both chambers, split on the equal rights amendment, with seven voting in favor and 13 against. But they were united in opposition to the concealed-carry bill, saying Democrats had tipped the scales too heavily in favor of restrictions.

“Instead of addressing the root of the problem and holding violent criminals accountable, Albany politicians are preventing law-abiding New Yorkers who have completed permit courses, background checks and the licensing process from exercising their constitutional right to keep and carry gun,” said Robert Orth, the Senate Republican leader, who is from Western New York.