MMA Drops Another Round In NY; No Vote Expected
ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) — New York Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver says he doesn't expect a floor vote in the waning weeks of this year's legislative session on legalizing mixed martial arts, although backers say they're gaining sponsors and the ultimate fight is far from over.
Silver says after gauging support in his majority's Democratic Conference this week that the issue is still evolving and there will be no vote this year.
The state Senate voted 43-14 in April to pass the bill legalizing MMA. The Senate included it in its budget proposal, though it was removed because of Assembly opposition, which has beaten back legalization for seven years.
Gov. Andrew Cuomo says only that he'll review the measure should it reach his desk.
Backers have acknowledged this year would be an uphill fight.
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