7/15/2011
The passage of the same sex marriage law in New York represented an opportunity for ecstatic same sex couples to have their affection recognized by the state and to also enjoy the benefits accorded to married couples.
For New York officials, the law can usher in an economic boon with the potential increase in revenue generated from marriage license fees and tourism from other same sex couples going to the state to get married. A horde of industries from florists to caterers also stand to benefit from the passage of the law.
A report from the Independent Democratic Conference of the State Senate, prepared before this year’s bill was taken up by the legislature, estimated that around $311 million in revenue can potentially be earned by the state if same sex marriage was legalized. The report also dispelled the notion that tax breaks to same sex married couples would drain the coffers of the state.
The Independent Democratic Conference report stated that “While the economic impact argument may pale in comparison to the more common legal, civil rights and moral principles pointed out by proponents of marriage equality, it is the hopes of the IDC that this study will stifle the arguments that legalization of same-sex marriage will affect state revenues negatively.”
A campaign to persuade same sex couples to tie the knot in New York City has already been launched. Called “NYC I Do,” a spokeswoman for the marketing office of the city said that the campaign “will generate millions of dollars in additional economic impact.”
