By Ryan Morden

Oswego, NY – According to Fort Drum, the army post generated $1.5 billion for the Northern New York Economy in 2009.

Most of the money comes from payroll to soldiers, contractors and civilians that work at the base.

The economic impact in 2009 was down slightly from 2008.

Julie Curpernall is a spokeswoman with Fort Drum. She said the decrease is because there was a transition between construction projects.

By Jasmyn Belcher

Oswego, NY – Syracuse-area activists Howie Hawkins is planning to run for governor.

Hawkins has yet to formally announce his intentions to run as a Green Party candidate but he plans to make it official within the next two weeks.

Hawkins has run 17 times for federal, state and local offices. He calls a run for governor a long shot.

By Ryan Morden

Oswego, NY – The Energy Discount Program Power for Jobs expires in less than one month.

Power for Jobs is the program that offers low cost power for businesses that keep and create jobs in New York.

Lawmakers are currently working on adding a new version of the program for seven years at a time, with the option to renew at any time during those seven years.

State Sen. Darrel Aubertine said lawmakers are working on making the program permanent.

By Karen DeWitt

Albany, NY – New York is set to begin its third week without a budget. Lawmakers
approved yet another round of emergency spending extenders, but not
without some complaints, as Senate Democrats considered new ways of
gaining much needed revenue through a series of new fees on cars,
boats, and houses.

Governor Paterson sent the legislature a third set of austerity
spending measures aimed at keeping the state running for another
week, until April 25th.

Oswego, NY – Fort Drum continues to generate money for northern New York's economy. Howie Hawkins is running for Governor as a Green.

Oswego, NY – Today's Weather: Sunny, but chilly temperatures. High at 62.

By Dave Bullard

Oswego, NY – Governor Paterson's proposed cuts in school aid hit Cayuga county the hardest among all of New York's counties. An analysis shows that Cayuga county schools' aid cuts are 90% worse than the state average.

In fact, every upstate county but one suffers cuts that are above average. While every downstate, New York City or Long Island county enjoys cuts that are below average.

Rick Timbs of The Statewide School Finance Consortium said that it is simply not fair.

By Ryan Morden

Oswego, NY – U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand is introducing a measure that would encourage developers to restore historic buildings.

A tax credit already exists for historic renovation, Gillibrands proposal would expand it.

She was at the Landmark Theatre this weekend to roll out her plan.

Among other provisions, the Democrat said the bill would eliminate restrictions on non-profit and government tenants.

By Ryan Morden

Oswego, NY – State University of New York Chancellor Nancy Zimpher said there are two main obstacles for implementing her strategic vision for the university system.

Her plan is called "The Power of SUNY" and lays out six different aspects of how the SUNY system can help New York out of the recession.

However, the first obstacle is that the plan takes money to implement some of the new programs.

Oswego, NY – Today's Weather: Cloudy. Some sun. High at 52. Rain possibly Wednesday.