News stories tagged with "owens"

(02/23/12) The Farm Bill is up for reauthorization this year in Congress, and North Country residents can have their say about it this weekend. Congressman Bill Owens will be in Potsdam Saturday for a town hall forum on the Farm Bill. It's hosted by the League of Women Voters.

Aviva Gold is director of a non-profit organization called GardenShare. She says agriculture is a big part of the north country economy, but the Farm Bill is such a huge, multifaceted proposal, it can be overwhelming to try to understand it.

That's why GardenShare is hosting an informational workshop on the Farm Bill BEFORE the forum with Representative Owens.

Correction: The audio of this story reports the beginning of the workshop as 9:30 am. The correct start time is 9:00 am. We regret the error. NCPR

Gold spoke with Julie Grant. more

(02/21/12) There are growing signs that Republican challenger Matt Doheny from Watertown will have a clear shot at challenging Democratic congressman Bill Owens.

Two years ago, Doheny struggled with third-party Conservative Doug Hoffman also in the race.

But St. Lawrence County Conservatives now say they are endorsing Doheny in this year's contest. Conservative chairman Hank Ford issued a statement yesterday calling Doheny "a true fiscal conservative."

In 2010, Plattsburgh's Bill Owens prevailed by just 2,000 votes, despite the fact that Republican and Conservative votes were divided.

The 23rd district race is expected to be one of the most competitive in the country.

(12/22/11) An influential government reform group has drawn up new maps for political boundaries in New York state that would have dramatic impacts here in the North Country.

Common Cause of New York says its redistricting plan would be fairer and more logical than the maps drawn up in the past by politicians. Brian Mann reports. more

(12/19/11) A new handbook out Friday from the US Department of labor could make it simpler for farmers to legally hire seasonal immigrant workers.

Farmers can use the H-2A temporary agricultural employees program to hire help when they need it and no domestic workers are available. But getting H-2A visas can be complicated and bureaucratic. more

(11/25/11) North Country Congressman Bill Owens says he's amazed at the resiliency of flood victims who say their property devastated by Tropical Storm Irene. The Democrat from New York's 23rd Congressional District stopped in the Town of Jay this week to hear from local officials about ongoing infrastructure issues and view firsthand some of the problems the community still faces.

(11/11/11) On this Veterans Day, the US Army is drawing down its forces in Iraq, preparing to leave the country by the end of the year.

And for the first time in a decade, policy-makers are talking about a major reduction in the number of soldiers. As many as fifty thousand troop positions could be cut in the next five years.

Brian Mann sat down yesterday to talk with Congressman Bill Owens, himself a former Air Force captain, to talk about those changes and how they might affect the military here in the North Country.

(10/27/11) A new free-trade agreement with Colombia includes a tax on Canadians visiting the U.S. by air or sea...and one North Country lawmaker has already set out to repeal the fee.

US Congressman Bill Owens, said Monday the recently-signed United States Colombian Trade Promotion Agreement Implementation Act...includes a $5.50 customs inspection fee for Canadians entering the U.S. by plane or boat.

Owens is in the early stages of introducing legislation to roll back the Canadian fees. He visited Ottawa last week and discussed the potential impacts of the tax with Canadian policymakers. more

(09/28/11) A group of postal workers and retirees rallied outside of Representative Bill Owens's office in Watertown Tuesday, urging him to pass a bill that would help save the Postal Service from its current financial worries. If the bill passes, it could save local post office branches from closing. Joanna Richards was there and has more on the story. more

(09/22/11) Watertown businessman Matt Doheny says he wants to challenge Democrat Bill Owens in next year's congressional race. He filed papers this week making his campaign official.

In an interview with North Country Public Radio, Doheny said he favors lowering taxes for corporations as a way to boost jobs and wants to build a new nuclear power plant in the 23rd congressional district. Brian Mann has details. more

(09/08/11) US Congressman Bill Owens, with several other New York legislators, has introduced a bill to replenish two federal funds that help farmers rebuild after natural disasters.

The "Post-Irene Emergency Farm Aid Act", is also sponsored by US Representatives Chris Gibson, Maurice Hinche, and Paul Tonko...and Senators Chuck Schumer and Kirsten Gilibrand. It calls for 10 million dollars to go to the Farm Service Agency's emergency conservation program, and the Emergency watershed protection program. more