NY governor proposes same-sex marriage bill

Since his inauguration in January, Gov. Andrew Cuomo has pledged to allow gay couples in New York to marry.Andrew Cuomo has been a vocal proponent of issue since taking officeHe calls the proposed bill "a matter of fairness and legal security"The state Senate rejected a same-sex marriage bill in 2009Bill would make New York the sixth state to legalize same-sex marriage

New York (CNN) -- New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo proposed a bill Tuesday that would legalize same-sex marriage, effectively delivering on a promise he has made since taking office in January.

The Marriage Equality Act would grant same-sex couples equal rights to marry "as well as hundreds of rights, benefits and protections that are currently limited to married couples of the opposite sex," according to a news release from Cuomo's office.

In a statement accompanying the release, Cuomo said the state has "been on the right side of history," citing such civil rights battles as women's suffrage.

"But on the issue of marriage equality, our state has fallen behind," he said.

Cuomo has been a vocal proponent of allowing same-sex couples in New York to marry. In March, he released a statement saying that he was in the midst of a series of meetings to discuss such a marriage equality bill.

"Marriage equality is a matter of fairness and legal security for thousands of families in this state -- not of religion or culture," Cuomo said Tuesday in announcing the proposed bill.

Although New York does not grant same-sex marriages, a 2008 appellate court ruling upheld the right of couples to have their same-sex marriages recognized if they are performed elsewhere.

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The Marriage Equality Act would amend the state's Domestic Relations Law to say, among other changes, that "no application for a marriage license shall be denied on the ground that the parties are of the same or a different sex."

Democratic state Rep. Daniel O'Donnell said the bill has support in the state House.

"I've introduced it here in the House with 67 sponsors, which is an unprecedented number of sponsors for a bill," he said.

The state Senate rejected a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in 2009.

Five states -- Massachusetts, Connecticut, Iowa, Vermont and New Hampshire -- and the District of Columbia currently grant same-sex marriage licenses.

CNN's Laura Dolan contributed to this report.

CNN

Lawmaker proposes Amtrak 'no-ride' list

Rail security concerns have prompted calls for new measures.Schumer wants suspected terrorists banned from passenger trainsThe list would mirror the "no-fly" list that screens flyersOfficials say al Qaeda is considering rail attacks on the 10th anniversary of 9/11

New York (CNN) -- In light of recent findings that al Qaeda was mulling targeting railroad lines to mark the 10th anniversary of the September 11th attacks, a senator from New York is calling for tighter rail security.

U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer proposed an increase in rail security and an Amtrak version of the Secure Flight "no-fly" list.

The proposal stems from material taken from Osama bin Laden's Pakistani compound showing al Qaeda was in the early stages of planning an attack to derail trains on September 11 of this year.

Schumer proposed the creation of a "no-ride" list that would check passengers against a list of suspected terrorists to prevent would-be terrorists from boarding trains. The list would be used like the government "no-fly" list that screens air travelers.

"Obviously there are certain things that would have to be done, but Amtrak, unlike our commuter rails or subways, does have a (manifest) of everyone that rides Amtrak," he said. "They check your name as you walk down so it doesn't seem like it's that difficult to do."

He added that he had "discussed it with (Transportation) Secretary (Ray) LaHood and others, and Amtrak, and we're going to work as hard as we can to get this done as quickly as possible."

"While taking Osama bin Laden out last week has been a major victory in fighting terrorism, the war is not over," Schumer said. "We must remain vigilant in protecting ourselves from future terror attacks, and when intelligence emerges that provides insight into potential vulnerabilities, we must act with speed."

He also proposed increased spending on rail security, despite last month's $50 million of cuts to the rail and port security grant program. The program provides rail operators with funding for protection against explosive devices in tunnels, deterrence, and training for rail personnel.

"Let me just say, look, we are much safer on the rails than we were on 9/10/01," he said. "And safety keeps getting better, better and better. When it comes to safety you can never rest."

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GOP budget proposes $30B in cuts to farm subsidies

By Seth Perlman, AP

Corn planting.

EnlargeCloseBy Seth Perlman, AP

Corn planting.

That legislation is handled by a committee dominated by lawmakers from states where farmers have historically received big government handouts.

The $3.5 trillion budget plan put forward by Rep. Paul Ryan, R-Wis., has grabbed headlines because of its proposed changes to Medicare and Medicaid and its tax cuts, but it also would slash spending on agriculture and a range of other programs.

STORY: Obama plans budget speech WednesdayIt awaits a floor vote in the House but has no chance in the Democratic controlled Senate. Still, it is framing the budget debate and some of proposals could make it into other legislation, including the 2012 farm bill.

Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Okla., chairman of the House Agriculture Committee, commended Ryan for

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New York City lawmaker proposes fast-food toy ban

By Jordana Ossad, CNN STORY HIGHLIGHTSCouncilman wants children's meals to be healthier"The fast food industry is a major culprit" in childhood obesity, Comrie saysMcDonald's defends Happy Meals New York (CNN) -- A city lawmaker has proposed a bill that would ban fast-food restaurant gimmicks that include children's toys, like the McDonald's Happy Meal, unless the meal meets certain nutritional standards.

New York Councilman Leroy Comrie said Wednesday that the measure would limit the restaurants' ability to "target and lure in the most vulnerable members of our society," arguing that it is intended to battle childhood obesity. The bill follows a similar measure in San Francisco that will take effect December 1 and was considered the first of its kind for a major American City.

"While the epidemic is primarily the parent's responsibility, make no mistake, the fast food industry is a major culprit and part of the problem," Comrie said.

He called the toys "incentive items," which are "more important to the children than the meal itself."

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