Congress

Area advocates worry about sequestration effect on regional non-profits

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 11:12:00 +0000

The automatic federal budget cuts that are slated to go into effect in March would have a big impact on programs that help the poor and elderly in Syracuse. Advocates for these programs are urging Congress to do something to prevent the across-the-board spending cuts knows as sequestration.

Maffei answers questions on immigration, gun control

Durrie Lawrence — Fri, 01 Feb 2013 21:42:28 +0000

At a news conference in Auburn, central New York Cong. Dan Maffei commented on a couple of hot-button issues facing Congress currently.

Hanna talks gun control, small business and term limits

Ryan Delaney — Fri, 11 Jan 2013 20:39:35 +0000

Rep. Richard Hanna, R-Barneveld, is taking a bit of a wait-and-see approach to new gun control legislation, but he has gotten the opinion of at least one high school class in his district.

Fiscal Cliff deal is good news for small business

Ryan Delaney — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 20:27:47 +0000

While the Fiscal Cliff deal passed by Congress at the turn of the New Year raised taxes on some of the wealthiest people in America, it left many tax breaks in place that benefit small businesses. That is, along as they take advantage of them.

Ann Marie Buerkle on the Campbell Conversations

Grant Reeher — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 15:55:00 +0000

Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle recently ended her term the way she first ran for the office—standing up for conservative principles. She voted against the fiscal cliff compromise, on the grounds that it did not address the deficit and government over-spending. But she was defeated last November by Dan Maffei, the man she unseated in 2010.

Wind energy tax credit extension means "big sigh of relief"

Ryan Delaney — Mon, 07 Jan 2013 12:41:40 +0000

With several tax credits and incentives for the wind industry extended by Congress for at least another year, wind projects in upstate New York can move forward with a little more confidence.

Deal reached to stop the $6 gallon of milk

Ryan Delaney — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 19:35:20 +0000

Congress seems to have reached a deal to stop milk prices from rising to a warned about $6 a gallon in the New Year, but it's unclear if it will be voted on before the end of 2012.

"Redshirt sophomore" Maffei ready to return to Congress

Ellen Abbott — Mon, 31 Dec 2012 10:45:58 +0000

Members of the 113th Congress will be sworn in January 3 -- and part of the new Congress will be a familiar face returning to Washington to represent the Syracuse area in a redistricted seat.

Maffei ready to deal with fiscal cliff if need be

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 18 Dec 2012 12:57:29 +0000

He won't be sworn in until January, but congressman-elect Dan Maffei is carefully watching the fiscal cliff negotiations in Washington.

Immigration legislation could help those with STEM degrees

Kate O'Connell — Thu, 06 Dec 2012 14:25:16 +0000

New legislation would allow 55,000 thousand green cards to be earmarked for foreign graduates of U.S. universities with advanced degrees in science, technology, engineering and math has made it through the House of Representatives. But the bill still has an uphill battle ahead.

Cuomo says Sandy costs reach $41 billion

Karen Dewitt — Tue, 27 Nov 2012 14:46:09 +0000

Governor Andrew Cuomo says Hurricane Sandy caused more damage than Hurricane Katrina, and is now asking for $41 billion from the federal government. Cuomo says New York’s congressional delegation has promised the help.

Schumer: compromise is key to avoiding fiscal cliff

Catherine Loper — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 10:24:00 +0000

The focus in Washington, D.C. is now on the so-called "fiscal cliff," which describes the automatic budget cuts and tax hikes that are scheduled to go into effect at the end of the year if Congress and the president don't come to an agreement to reduce the deficit. Senator Charles Schumer (D-NY) is among those saying that the election was a mandate for compromise.

Buerkle hopes for a farm bill extension

Catherine Loper — Wed, 19 Sep 2012 20:55:39 +0000

Central New York Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle is concerned that the House of Representatives has not yet passed a farm bill. The current one is scheduled to expire September 30, but Congress is scheduled to finish its work this week and passage of a farm bill does not look likely.

November Congressional ballot decided

Jason Smith — Wed, 27 Jun 2012 13:16:20 +0000

Tuesday's federal primary in New York state was marked by low turnout. New York's primaries were split into three dates this year, with a presidential primary in April, Tuesday's Congressional primary and a September primary for state Senate and Assembly candidates. Experts believe having a primary in June, which is not traditional for New York, contributed to the low turnout. But, it is now known who will be on the ballot for Congress in November.

Interview: Republican Richard Hanna, 22nd Congressional district incumbent

Catherine Loper — Mon, 25 Jun 2012 12:31:00 +0000

June 26 is Congressional primary day in New York. Congressman Richard Hanna was elected in 2010 and is running for re-election in the newly redrawn 22nd district. Hanna spoke with WRVO's Catherine Loper.

Interview: Republican Kellie Greene, candidate for 21st Congressional district

Catherine Loper — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 13:49:44 +0000

June 26 is Congressional primary day in New York. In the newly redrawn 21st district in Northern New York, Republican Kellie Greene is running against Matt Doheny. The winner of that race will face incumbent Democrat Congressman Bill Owens in November. Doheny lost a close race to Owens two years ago. This year Greene hopes to get the chance to take on Owens. Greene spoke with WRVO's Catherine Loper.

Interview: Republican Matt Doheny, candidate for 21st Congressional district

Catherine Loper — Fri, 22 Jun 2012 12:49:11 +0000

June 26 is Congressional primary day in New York. In the newly redrawn 21st district in northern New York. Republican Matt Doheny is running against Kellie Greene. The winner of that race will face incumbent Democrat Bill Owens in November. Doheny lost a close race to Owens two years ago, and he's back for another run this year. Doheny recently he spoke with WRVO's Catherine Loper.

Maffei gets campaign to reclaim congressional seat underway

Ryan Delaney — Mon, 21 May 2012 13:29:00 +0000

The lawn signs started popping up a few weeks ago, but Dan Maffei didn't officially launch his campaign for Congress until this weekend.

In fact, Maffei said, the signs are from his previous campaigns. He hasn't printed the new ones yet.

Maffei met with several dozen supporters at his newly opened campaign headquarters on East Washington Street in downtown Syracuse Saturday afternoon.

Extended interview: Northern NY Congressman Bill Owens

Ellen Abbott — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 12:40:50 +0000

2011 has not been a good year for Congress. Just last week, the House narrowly passed an extension on a payroll tax cut. Earlier this year, a government shutdown was avoided after a battle over the debt ceiling.

Extended interview: CNY Congressman Richard Hanna

Ellen Abbott — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 13:02:05 +0000

Utica-area Republican Congressman Richard Hanna talks with WRVO's Ellen Abbott

Extended interview: CNY Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle

Ellen Abbott — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 12:17:40 +0000

Central New York Republican Congresswoman Ann Marie Buerkle sits down with WRVO's Ellen Abbott for a look back at her first year in Congress, and looks ahead to 2012.