Canton, NY, Feb 24, 2012 — As local, state and federal governments are looking for ways to do more with less money, demand for aid and services to the poor is increasing.

That's creating some gaps between government-funded organizations' missions and their means.

In St. Lawrence County, volunteer organizations are stepping in to fill some of those gaps--
And as Nora Flaherty reports, they're doing it by being creative--and harnessing local resources.  Go to full article

Swanton, VT, Feb 22, 2012 — The federal low income heating assistance program, commonly known as LIHEAP, has had a lot of ups and downs this year. Funding levels are lower than they've been in awhile. And there's more demand for services.

In New York state, this winter's average benefits for families are $500-700 lower than they were last year.

Sarah Harris reports from Vermont, where the state's Congressional delegation secured an additional $5 million to bolster the program. But even with that help, many Vermonters are still struggling to keep their heat on this winter.  Go to full article

Jun 23, 2008 — State Senator Betty Little says she supports the idea of a property tax cap and hopes to return this summer to debate the issue during a special session. But Little told Brian Mann that she's concerned about the possible impact of a cap on local school districts that are faced with spiraling costs.  Go to full article

Oct 04, 2006 — National Grid expects the price of natural gas to decline sharply this winter by about 11 %. Weather forecasters are calling for another relatively mild winter, but the odds are it'll still be colder than last year. Low income advocates are worried about heating assistance for the poor. Martha Foley reports.  Go to full article

Jan 30, 2006 — On Sunday, Governor Pataki approved a $100 million boost to state funding for home heating assistance. The money will go to help low-income families offset high fuel oil prices. Brian Mann reports.  Go to full article

Jan 11, 2006 — Assembly Democrats want the state to immediately release $200 million to help low income New Yorkers pay for rising heating costs. Karen DeWitt reports.  Go to full article

Sep 21, 2005 — State Senator Betty Little, from Queensbury, says the big concern for families in the North Country is pay for heating fuel. She says the higher energy costs could have a trickle-down effect on the region's broader economy. Senator Little spoke from the Senate floor yesterday with Brian Mann.  Go to full article

Sep 12, 2005 — Heating oil prices are at record highs, 54% higher than last winter. Natural Gas prices are up 135%. The money that's out there to help low income families heat their homes -won't go as far this year. Representative John McHugh has joined 57 other congressional leaders asking President Bush to authorize $900 million in supplemental funding for LiHEAP. That stands for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.  Go to full article

Jan 06, 2003 — Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton says more than eighty thousand families in New York could lose home heating assistance this winter. The Bush Administration wants to cut subsidies that help low-income families pay their energy bills. With New York recovering from its second big winter storm of the season and home heating prices on the rise, critics say thousands of poor people in the north country could be hurt. Brian Mann has our story.  Go to full article

Jul 31, 2002 — New York's junior senator is calling on President Bush to restore money for low-income and elderly people's utility bills in next year's budget. Senator Hillary Clinton says the President's 2003 budget would cuts New York's Low Income Heating and Energy Assistance program by 38-millon dollars. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article