A New York judge has upended an effort to strengthen protections against discrimination in the state constitution, an action that will likely be appealed soon., as it updates the state’s constitution to expand anti-discrimination protections for groups of people who previously weren’t covered. Currently, the constitution bars discrimination against people based on race, color, creed and religion.
The state argued in favor of allowing the measure to proceed anyway, noting that the legislature substantially complied with the way the amendment should be passed. In his ruling, Doyle expressed his disagreement. After his ruling was rendered, critics and supporters of the amendment noted that the process hasn’t always followed the standard that Doyle said should be strictly adhered by.
Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul issued a statement disagreeing with Doyle’s ruling, noting that the measure would have enshrined abortion rights specifically within the state constitution.