Albany, NY, Sep 19, 2011 — New York's Comptroller, Tom DiNapoli, says the state budget is still balanced-but just barely so. DiNapoli says the August cash report shows the state's financial plan is operating on a "razor thin margin." In Albany, Karen DeWitt has the details.  Go to full article

Port Charlotte, FL, Aug 12, 2011 — State University officials from Albany apologized to representatives from SUNY Canton today for removing the college's popular president without first informing school leaders. Still, SUNY officials said the plan is for one president to lead the SUNY colleges in Canton and Potsdam. Julie Grant was there, and files this report.  Go to full article

Malone, NY, Jul 21, 2011 — It's been a tough year for the community action agency Comlinks in Malone. It made headlines in February when the former Comlinks director was indicted for theft. And now, its program to distribute to food pantries and soup kitchens is facing steep budget cuts from the state.

This week, Comlinks announced it will need to cut services, and will no longer be making food deliveries west of Massena.

Julie Grant recently visited the Comlinks food distribution warehouse in Malone, and found that the organization is trying to get back to its roots.  Go to full article

Potsdam, NY, Aug 31, 2009 — The massive state budget deficit is hitting SUNY campuses hard across the state. Albany has cut the SUNY budget by about 10% already and there's rumblings of additional mid-year cuts. SUNY Potsdam faces a $6 million deficit in next year's budget. The president warned to campus to expect program and faculty cuts. David Sommerstein reports.  Go to full article

Nov 17, 2008 — Beginning tomorrow, lawmakers in Albany will debate ways to slash New York's state budget. The collapse of tax revenue from Wall Street has already triggered a hiring freeze statewide, along with a first-round of belt-tightening at most state agencies. Deeper cuts could be especially painful here in the North Country. Many towns rely on government spending to fuel the local economy. Brian Mann has this profile Malone, in Franklin County, where prisons, schools, and the local hospital all look to Albany for a big chunk of their budgets.  Go to full article

Oct 23, 2008 — New York's Health Commissioner toured the North Country this week, talking about the doctor shortage that continues to plague the region's hospitals and clinics. A new program is being launched next summer, designed to train new doctors to work in rural areas. But as Brian Mann reports, healthcare experts say that won't be enough.  Go to full article

Apr 06, 2007 — The state budget was friendly to most school districts in the North Country. Schools in St. Lawrence, Jefferson, and Lewis counties, for example, will get $22 million more in state aid than they did last year. But the budget, especially the state's byzantine school funding formula, wreaked havoc in Ogdensburg. City schools superintendent Maurice Barry was expecting a 5% increase in state aid. Turns out Ogdensburg only got a 2.85% increase. That created a gap of $260,000. And Barry can't figure out why. He spoke with David Sommerstein.  Go to full article

Apr 13, 2005 — The new state budget provides $150 million for the Environmental Protection Fund sought by Governor Pataki in his executive budget, a record level and a 20 percent increase from last year. The EPF supports environmental programs statewide, including open space acquisitions and farmland preservation, pollution control, parks and waterfront revitalization , and municipal recycling. Neil Woodworth is executive director of the Adirondack Mountain Club. Like other advocates for environmental protection, he was watching the progress of the budget, and the Environmental Protection Fund, closely. He spoke with Martha Foley.  Go to full article

Jan 20, 2004 — Gov. George Pataki delivers his annual budget address this morning. Interest groups are anxioulsy awaiting details of spending changes Pataki hinted at during his state of the state speech earlier this month. Karen DeWitt has this story from Albany.  Go to full article

Apr 22, 2003 — A school board in Clinton County voted last night to close Champlain Elementary. The move is meant to narrow a 700 thousand dollar budget shortfall, triggered in part by cuts in state aid. The district will also lay off at least six teachers and administrators. As Brian Mann reports, locals will still face a property tax hike that could top eleven percent.

For other stories on the region's education crisis, search under "education". Join us Thursday, when David Sommerstein reports on school budget woes in the St. Lawrence valley.  Go to full article