News stories tagged with "stimulus"

(10/04/10) Across the North Country, economic development leaders say broadband internet access is one key to building more jobs and new prosperity.

But the infrastructure for broadband is expensive, often requiring miles of expensive fiber-optic cable.

Groups across the region have been asking for help from the Federal government to help offset the cost.

As Brian Mann reports, they met with mixed success - with some areas still struggling to find funding. more

(07/07/10) Since 2006, Democrats have captured all three House seats that represent the North Country.

Those seats had been safe Republican strongholds, and their loss helped push New York's GOP to the brink.

But this year, Republicans are pushing back hard, hoping to capitalize on public dissatisfaction with the sour economy and growing Federal deficits.

Bill Owens from Plattsburgh, Scott Murphy from Glens Falls and Mike Arcuri from Utica all face stiff, well-funded challenges.

In the coming weeks, we'll air a series of stories looking at all the candidates and at the issues that will shape the November election.

This morning, Brian Mann reports on Bill Owens. As part of his bid for a second term, Owens has embraced President Barack Obama's Federal stimulus plan.

(05/06/10) Alexandria Bay businessman Matt Doheny came into the race for the 23rd Congressional district with a liability. His main competition for the Republican primary, Douglas Hoffman, had massive name recognition after last year's special election. But Doheny has out-fundraised Hoffman. And he's secured more support from GOP county chairs. He sat down recently with David Sommerstein. In a moment, we'll hear his stance on immigration reform. He believes illegal immigrant farmworkers should have to go home before they can apply for a guest worker program. First, Doheny talks about his opposition to the federal stimulus package. In his stump speech, Doheny distinguishes between "good" and "bad" government spending. He supports federal spending at Fort Drum, and on roads and highways and bridges. And he's for spending on education.

(12/29/09) The Crown Point bridge across Lake Champlain was demolished yesterday morning, just after ten o'clock. The span had served as a major link between Vermont and upstate New York for eight decades. It became a part of the North Country landscape and lore. Deterioration of the bridge and its closure in mid-October have crippled the Champlain Valley economy, straining ties between communities on both sides of the lake. As Brian Mann reports, many local people hope that yesterday's massive explosion marks a first step toward getting their lives back to normal.

(08/11/09) Senator Kirsten Gillibrand says Democrats in Washington may need to push for another stimulus package next year if unemployment remains high. Speaking with North Country Public Radio's Brian Mann, Gillibrand acknowledged growing concerns over high Federal deficits. But she said lingering unemployment woes could force the Obama Administration to act.

(06/01/09) Representative Scott Murphy just finished his first month in office. The Democrat from Glens Falls has landed in Washington in a time when Congress is wrestling with the massive economic downturn. He spoke with Brian Mann about his first experiences and his hopes for President Obama's stimulus package.

(03/17/09) Republican Congressional candidate Jim Tedisco now says he would have voted against a massive federal stimulus package. The longtime Assemblyman from Schenectady is running to replace Kirsten Gillibrand in New York's 20th district. Until yesterday, he had refused to say how he would have voted on the $780 billion package. His opponent, Democrat Scott Murphy, criticized Tedisco for not taking a stand. Martha Foley reports.

(03/16/09) The government is spending billions of taxpayer dollars on a new "smart grid." Mark Brush reports the new grid could eventually save you money on your energy bills.

(03/04/09) The Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River contain one-fifth of the world's fresh surface water, 90% of the fresh surface water in the U.S. But they've been battered by industrial pollution, farm and road runoff, and invasive species. The 185 foreign species in the Lakes and River cause billions of dollars in damage to the region's economy every year. After years of neglect by Washington, the Obama Administration is making a multi-billion dollar commitment to the cleaning up the Great Lakes. Environmentalists believe they have a big ally. David Sommerstein reports.

(03/03/09) In the coming weeks, political leaders in Albany and Washington will be hammering out details of the massive stimulus plan. Here in New York, various interest groups and various regions are lining up to try to win a share of that money. Garry Douglas, head of the Plattsburgh-North Country Chamber of Commerce, has emerged as one of the most influential dealmakers in New York state. Douglas spoke in-depth about the stimulus and its impact on the North Country with Brian Mann.