New York Challenges Defense of Marriage Act

(ALBANY, N.Y.) -- Although marriage equality was legalized across New York state Sunday, not all same-sex couples are sharing equal benefits as their heterosexual counterparts.

New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman was the latest to jump on board to challenge the U.S. Defense of Marriage Act (DOMA) which denies recognition of federal benefits for same-sex couples.

Schneiderman filed the friend-of-the-court brief Tuesday in Manhattan in the U.S. District Court, claiming the law unconstitutional as it violates equal protection for couples across all sexualities, according to Bloomberg News.

The 1996 Defense of Marriage Act infringes upon New York’s ability to define marriage and interferes with state sovereign power, Schneiderman noted in the brief. 

New York’s gay marriage law took effect July 24 -- four days after a debate sparked at a U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee meeting in which a Respect for Marriage Act was proposed. The measure would essentially end DOMA and allow the federal government to extend benefits to same-sex married couples.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Gov. Cuomo Suspends Licenses of 8 Charter Bus Companies

(ALBANY, N.Y.) -- Gov. Cuomo has suspended the operating licenses of eight charter bus companies over failed inspections that came in the wake of a deadly accident involving a charter bus.

Best Trails & Travel Corp., Party Ride, A&W Tours Inc., and the Big Apple Bus Charter, Inc., were among the companies listed. Their licenses will remain suspended, with some 100 buses banned from the roads, until further inspections can be made.

Cuomo also announced that his Transportation Department will bring in 20 new inspectors to amp up safety.

Bus services have been under increased scrutiny since the March 17 crash on a Bronx highway that left 15 dead.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Metrocard Surcharge Expected Next Year

(NEW YORK) -- Riders don't have to worry about fare hikes when the Metropolitan Transit Authority announces its 2012 budget Tuesday -- at least not this year.

The New York Daily News reports the MTA's budget for next year will reveal no service cutbacks or increases to individual fares -- but that doesn't mean commuters’ pockets will go unscathed.

According to a transit source, the MTA will implement a long-discussed and previously approved $1 surcharge to Metrocards beginning as early as January 2012. The cost-cutting initiative is designed to encourage riders to reuse and refill their old Metrocards rather than buying new ones, a move expected to save New York City transit an estimated $20 million.

Transit officials are expected to announce an increase in funding to elevator and escalator repairs as part of the new budget.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

Schumer Calls for Tougher Penalties for Military Product Counterfeiters

(SYRACUSE, N.Y.) --- U.S. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) announced proposed legislation to increase penalties for people who sell counterfeit military equipment and products.

Senator Schumer said he supports the Combating Military Counterfeiting Act of 2011, originally authored by U.S. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI). Production of counterfeit military products increased by 250 percent between 2005 and 2008, a development that is increasingly putting lives at risk says Schumer.

In 2010, the U.S. Navy bought 59,000 microchips used for missiles among other uses that turned out to be counterfeits from China. 

Schumer spoke at defense contractor SRC headquarters in Syracuse Monday. He was joined by executives from New York-based defense contractors Lockheed and Sensis. "Counterfeiting is not just dangerous to our troops -- it is also a job killer for our defense contractors right here in Central New York," Mr. Schumer said. "These Syracuse workers produce some of the finest technology around, and shouldn’t be undercut by scam artists looking to make a quick and dangerous buck. With both national and job security at risk, it is critical that we crack down on the trafficking of these phony military products," said Schumer.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio

New York Wins $113 Million in Federal Charter School Grant

(ALBANY, N.Y.) -- New York State won $113 million in federal grant funds from the U.S. Department of Education to create more charter schools.

The money will filter into the state over the course of five years. The grant is designed to create more public school options.

New York is one of two states, the other being Florida, to win grants under the Charter Schools Program competition.

For the 2011 fiscal year, the Empire State will receive $28,259,451.

Copyright 2011 ABC News Radio