In January, church leaders could not stop the city assembly from passing a law allowing civil unions among homosexuals.

The provision allowed corporations, unions or individuals to give $10,000 to state and local party committees for certain campaign activities.

It allowed unions to make concessions without hurting current members.

The business community was not happy either, partly because the plan allowed unions a political voice.

He said the city simply enforced the law made in Albany, which does not allow such unions.

He subsequently sponsored a bill in the legislature to allow civil unions.

And they will probably settle on allowing civil unions, he said.

In Connecticut, a legislative committee has approved a bill allowing such unions.