May 01, 2013 — Nova Bus in Plattsburgh has won another big contract to assemble 300 new vehicles for Chicago's Transit Authority. That's according to an announcement yesterday from Congressman Bill Owens.

The deal will bring the Canadian company roughly $148 million in new business.  Go to full article

Apr 26, 2013 — North Country Congressman Bill Owens says he's disappointed that an effort to expand background checks for gun buyers was voted down in the Senate.

Meanwhile, the Plattsburgh Democrat says he's frustrated that House Republicans are blocking a repeal of the medical device tax contained in 2010's Affordable Care Act.  Go to full article

Apr 26, 2013 — North Country congressman Bill Owens says he's returning roughly $75,000 of his congressional office budget to the US treasury.

Owens has made the gesture toward austerity four years in a row -- with the amount left unspent by his office now totaling around $400,000.  Go to full article

Apr 26, 2013 — Members of Congress from the North Country and Vermont are urging the Homeland Security Department to drop a proposal that could add new fees for travelers entering the US from Canada.

In a letter sent to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napoitano, Vermont Representative Peter Welch and the North Country's Bill Owens described the concept as "a bad idea."  Go to full article

Washington, DC, Mar 25, 2013 — Washington failed to pass a Farm Bill last year. Congressman Bill Owens says he's "cautiously optimistic" one will pass this year. But he's not sure exactly what will be in the massive $100 billion a year legislation that funds everything from farm programs to food stamps.

So the North Country Democrat is introducing three bills early that would help New York farmers.  Go to full article

Washington, DC, Mar 01, 2013 — North Country Congressman Bill Owens says the impact of cuts at the federal prison in Ray Brook is on his mind. He says officials there will have some discretion as far as where to cut. "I'm counting on management in those circumstances," says Owens, "to make sure that they do their furloughing in such a way that they do manage this for the safety of the officers and obviously the prisoners."

Owens held a telephone press conference yesterday afternoon to discuss the impacts of the across-the-board federal cuts known as the sequester. The Democrat says the standoff in Washington may only change if the public feels some pain.  Go to full article

Glens Falls, NY, Feb 18, 2013 — The US Postal Service lost another $1.3 billion in the last few months of 2012.

As a result, many rural post offices across the North Country are expected to see their hours cut back to half a day, opening from 8 am until noon.

It's also likely that Saturday home delivery will be ended nationwide as part of cost-cutting measures.

In all, the Postal Service plans to cut hours at more than 9,000 rural post office nationwide -- a move that is expected to phase out roughly 21,000 jobs.

North Country Congressman Bill Owens has blasted he move, arguing that families in small towns "depend on" the post office more than residents in urban areas.

In today's Heard Up North, reporter Jon Alexander set out to talk with people about how the cuts in service might affect them.  Go to full article

Washington, DC, Feb 13, 2013 — Democratic congressman Bill Owens reacted cautiously to much of President Barack Obama's State of the Union address last night.

Speaking with North Country Public Radio, Owens questioned whether Obama's approach to gun control could make communities safer without violating 2nd amendment rights.

Owens also expressed reservations about the idea of raising the Federal minimum wage, because of objections from small business owners.

But Owens told Brian Mann that he does think some kind of bipartisan accord is possible on the thorny issue of illegal immigration.  Go to full article

Washington, DC, Feb 12, 2013 — As gun control talks continue in Washington, the North Country's representative in the House thinks Congress should tread carefully on a matter he says has far-reaching constitutional implications.

Congressman Bill Owens said recently that gun control efforts should start by focusing on areas of common interest, like expanded background checks for gun buyers. The Democrat from Plattsburgh believes that some of the other issues being discussed on the national level, like tighter restrictions on assault weapons, are too volatile, and it makes sense to move forward with less controversial issues.  Go to full article

Washington, DC, Feb 07, 2013 — The House Ethics Committee announced yesterday that it is extending its review of Congressman Bill Owens' controversial trip to Taiwan in 2011. The panel also released a preliminary report from investigators.

That probe found that the Democrat from Plattsburgh may have violated congressional guidelines by making a trip paid for by a foreign government.

Investigators are also calling for subpoenas to be issued in the next phase of the probe.  Go to full article