[LonelyCon]

So, why couldn’t they put this crap up for a popular vote?

Because the New York state constitution does not provide for votes of the people. That idea became popular later in American history, after the NY constitution was written. It's why mostly just the western and other younger states have initiatives and referendums allowed by their constitutions.

[Lmo56]

Because the New York state constitution does not provide for votes of the people.

A New York Initiative and Referendum Amendment may appear on the November 5, 2013 state ballot in New York as an legislatively-referred constitutional amendment. The proposed amendment would allow for voters to enact and amend laws through initiative and referendum.

If it passes, they could then petition for repeal of gay marriage to be put on the next state ballot. 5% of the previous gubernatorial electorate is needed ...

If the repeal is passed in the election - then the current gay marriage law is null and void ...

This just happened recently in Maine ... pro-gay marriage legislation was passed and signed into law. 6 months later it was rejected by referendum in the next election.

[Sun]

While it is not illegal, how common is it for a NY governor to legislate a bill? Don’t law makers usually do that?

“Governor Cuomo Proposes Marriage Equality Act”

http://www.governor.ny.gov/press/06142011MarriageEqualityAct