Sherdog.com reported today that New York Governor David Paterson released his 2010 budget proposal that includes a bill to effectively lifting the ban on mixed martial arts that has existed since 1997. Before being signed into law the bill needs to be approved by the state assembly which is comprised of 150 members, though there is no indication that the budget would be shot down specifically to prevent MMA from being legalized.

Forty states have already officially sanctioned and legalized mixed martial arts, with New York being one of the slowest movers on the issue despite having one of the largest markets for the sport. The state is expected to receive millions in tax revenue should the legislation pass, and with the effects of the Great Recession still being felt the timing could not be better.

With the bill attached to the budget proposal a vote should be held in the coming weeks that will determine the fate of MMA in New York. Though all signs seem to point toward legalization, the votes still have to be counted.

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