Bill Owens RSS Articles

Owens-Backed Legislation Moves Forward with Farm Bill

Thu, 16 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

This week, the House Agriculture Committee approved its version of the Farm Bill, moving the legislation to the floor for consideration of the full House of Representatives. Congressman Bill Owens, who has long advocated for the Farm Bill to move forward, praised the bipartisan effort and called on his colleagues to swiftly advance the bill.

Owens also applauded the inclusion of a number of local initiatives he either sponsored or co-sponsored earlier this year. H.R. 1297, the Agricultural Credit Expansion Act, and H.R. 1298, legislation to increase export opportunities for local apple growers, were both originally introduced by Rep. Owens and included this week in the Agriculture Committee’s markup of the Farm Bill. In addition, H.R. 1272, the Maple Tapping Access Program Act, was also included in the bill. Rep. Owens joined Rep. Peter Welch as a co-sponsor in introducing that legislation earlier this year.

“I am encouraged to see a Farm Bill moving forward in the House, and pleased we were able to include a number of items in support of local producers,” said Congressman Bill Owens. “Strong farms lead to strong local economies in New York, and so it is imperative that we do everything we can to provide an environment where agriculture can thrive. This Farm Bill is a long time coming and will help provided support and certainty to small farmers and others in the agricultural community across the State. ”

Congressman Peter Welch, who introduced the Maple Tapping Access Program Act, joined Rep. Owens in applauding the measure with the following statement:

"Maple syrup and those who produce it are part of the fabric of Vermont and the northeast" said Congressman Peter Welch. "Their trade goes back generations and is an important part of our economy as well as a key defining characteristic of our state brand. These investments in the Farm Bill for the maple industry will ensure it remains a strong part of Vermont's economy and identity for generations to come."

Legislation background:

Apple Bill (H.R. 1298)

According to the New York Apple Association, the elimination of the required inspection would immediately offer a savings to growers of approximately $300 per truckload. Additionally, removing this regulation would allow apple growers to distribute their products on their own schedule without working around costly after-hours inspections procedures, providing them the opportunity to save money and streamline operations. Owens introduced identical legislation in the 112^th Congress (H.R. 3914).

Owens legislation would streamline U.S. apple exports to Canada by exempting bulk shipments of apples to Canada from inspection under the Apple Export Act.

Farm Credit Bill (H.R 1297)

Owens also introduced H.R. 1297, the Agricultural Credit Expansion Act. This legislation would expand the range of business structures that qualify for loans and loan guarantees through the Farm Service Agency (FSA). Two types of business structures increasingly common among family farms do not currently qualify for loans through the FSA. These include when family farms divide into a farm ownership LLC or farm operating LLC to facilitate ownership by multiple family members, and farms operating with an “embedded entity structure,” which are also currently ineligible for an FSA loan. An embedded entity occurs when one entity is owned wholly or partly by another entity. Owens introduced identical legislation in the 112^th Congress (H.R. 874).

Owens legislation would give farmers the flexibility to structure their business as they see fit while maintaining their eligibility for the programs that allow them to grow and succeed.

Maple Bill (H.R. 1272):

Congressman Bill Owens also joined Rep. Peter Welch (D-VT) in introducing H.R 1272, legislation that would authorize grants under the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to promote activities related to maple production. This includes maple syrup operations, natural resource sustainability for the maple syrup industry, promotion of maple products and increased access to land for maple-sugaring activities.

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Owens: IRS Targeting “Unacceptable”

Tue, 14 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

This week it was reported that IRS officials inappropriately targeted conservative political groups with investigations related to their tax exempt status. Congressman Bill Owens condemned the IRS’s activities, calling for accountability and a thorough investigation.

“Targeting groups simply because of their political leanings is completely unacceptable, and if in fact that is what happened then the IRS should be taken to task,” said Congressman Bill Owens. “I support the call for an investigation into what happened, and if it is found that individuals within the IRS intentionally committed this targeted activity they should be swiftly removed from their position.”

Congressman Owens also noted that bipartisan support for an investigation is growing, with President Obama stating earlier that he has “no patience” for such activity and Republican leadership requesting additional information on the reports.

“If found to be true, this is unfortunately not the first time this has happened over the past few decades,” Owens said. “This is an issue of fairness, and I am pleased to join voices from both sides calling for full accountability from those involved.”

Owens Announces Agricultural Advisory Committee

Thu, 09 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Bill Owens today announced an Agricultural Advisory Committee for New York’s 21^st Congressional District. The Committee consists of members of the farm community from across the district and is intended to help advise Congressman Owens on the needs of New York farmers and provide a local perspective on farm policy for his work in Washington.

“Local input is invaluable to my ability to represent the district,” said Congressman Bill Owens. “This is another way to stay in touch with concerns on the ground and ensure the needs of a large and diverse farm district are being addressed. I appreciate the willingness of New York farm leaders to serve on my advisory committee and look forward to discussing agricultural issues with them in the near future.”

Congressman Owens will hold an inaugural meeting via conference call with the group next week where he will give them an update on the Farm Bill’s progress in Washington and get the Committee’s initial input on what they would like to see in the Farm Bill.

Congressman Owens, who served on the House Agriculture Committee in the 112^th Congress, introduced a series of bills this year related to farm issues. These include legislation to reduce trade barriers for apple exports to Canada, to increase access to credit for farmers, to boost the New York maple industry and a bill to improve access to agricultural labor.

The over 40 person member committee is preliminary, and more members will be added down the road. A complete list of the Advisory Committee, by county, is listed below:

Clinton	Sam	Dyer
Clinton	Todd	Giroux
Clinton	Willie and Craig	Giroux
Clinton	Tony	LaPierre
Clinton	Angela	Swan
Clinton	Dan	Tetreault
Essex	Shaun	Gillilland
Essex	Will	Gunnison
Essex	Adam	Hainer
Essex	Erik	Leerkes
Essex	Michael	McCaliffe
Franklin	Ralph	Child
Franklin	Kirby	Selkirk
Fulton	James	Canary
Fulton	Jeffrey	Rugen
Hamilton	Dave and Karen	McComb
Hamilton	Mike	Romanych
Jefferson	Jay	Canzonier
Jefferson	Michael	Haycook
Jefferson	Steve	Conaway
Jefferson	Don	Holman
Jefferson	Todd and Heather	Hyman
Jefferson	Mike	Kiechle
Jefferson	Larry	Rudd
Jefferson	Nick	Surdo
Jefferson	W. Edward	Walldroff
Jefferson	Jay	Matteson
Lewis	Loren and Chris	Bush
Lewis	Sue	Maring
Lewis	Joe	Shultz
Saratoga	Charles	Hanehan
Saratoga	Edgar	King
St. Lawerence	David	Fisher
St. Lawerence	Andy	Hurlbut
St. Lawerence	Aaron	Stauffer
Warren	Tony	Harvish
Washington	Tom	Borden
Washington	Sheldon	Brown
Washington	Mike	Kilpatrick
Washington	Neal	Rea
Washington	Jay	Skellie
Washington	Phil	Weaver
Washington	Brian	Campbell

Owens Applauds Senator Leahy’s Border Fee Amendment

Tue, 07 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

This week, Senator Patrick Leahy (VT) announced the introduction of an amendment to the Border Security, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act that would bar the creation of a fee to cross the border. Congressman Bill Owens expressed his opposition to proposed border fees earlier this year and today applauded the Senator’s move as a positive step in support of cross-border trade.

“Senator Leahy’s work to block proposed border fees is spot on and a reflection of the value Northern Border communities place on our relationship with Canada,” Owens said. “I will continue looking for opportunities to introduce similar legislative initiatives in the House and urge my colleagues in the Senate to support Chairman Leahy’s amendment.”

The proposal to study a border fee was included in the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) FY2014 budget request. Congressman Owens joined with Rep. Peter Welch of Vermont and other Members of the House in a letter to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano opposing the study and any new fees.

According to the Department’s budget submission, the study would assess “the feasibility and cost relating to establishing and collecting a land border crossing fee.” The proposed fee would apply to both the northern and southwest borders of the United States. DHS requires completion of the study within 9 months of enactment, however Congressman Owens vowed to prevent the measure from coming to light.

Congressman Bill Owens Announces 2012 Congressional Art Competition Winner for 21st District

Fri, 03 May 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Owens today announced that Cheyanne Stunger, a 7^th grade student at Argyle Central School, is the winner of the 2013 Congressional Art Competition from New York’s 21^st Congressional District. Her work, “Freedom,” was selected to represent the region and will be displayed in the United States Capitol Building for one year. A reception will be held for winners from each district on Wednesday, June 26^th in the Capitol Visitors Center in Washington, D.C.

“Young people across the Congressional District never fail to impress me with their talent and dedication, and this year’s submissions were no exception,” said Congressman Bill Owens. “Cheyanne had some stiff competition this year, but her work rose to the top and I congratulate her on this achievement. I look forward to seeing Cheyenne’s work in the Capitol when it is displayed later this year.”

The Congressional Art Competition is a nation-wide high school arts competition sponsored by Members of the U.S. House of Representatives every spring. The event is meant to recognize and encourage the talents of young artists across the country. The competition began in 1982, and since then more than 650,000 high school students have been involved with the nationwide competition.

Owens Applauds Nova Bus Contract Award

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressman Bill Owens applauded the announcement that Nova Bus has secured $148 million in new business through the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA). According to a press release from Nova Bus, the order constitutes a purchase of 300 buses which will be assembled at the Plattsburgh, New York facility. Congressman Bill Owens offered the following statement:

“Today’s announcement is good news for Nova Bus employees and the many suppliers who depend on Nova Bus to grow their business,” Owens said. “Manufacturing jobs like those at Nova Bus are critical to strengthening the middle class, and I applaud the work that’s being done at all levels to secure Nova Bus’s place as a leading employer for the North Country.”

The CTA contract award reportedly comes with options that could lead to the purchase of an additional 150 vehicles in the future. According to Nova Bus, the purchase of each individual vehicle accounts for the creation or retention of 1.1 jobs and 5 indirect jobs. The company will be providing their Nova LFS Smart Bus, which will replace the Nova vehicles CTA has had in service for over a decade.

Owens Seeks Constituent Input on Federal Spending Cuts, Mandate Relief

Tue, 30 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Bill Owens today unveiled a section on his website for constituents to suggest direct spending cuts and government mandates in need of reform or elimination. This represents another opportunity for constituents of New York’s 21^st congressional district to connect with their Congressman and provide meaningful input to his work in Washington.

“Making government work better has been a top priority of mine since coming to Congress,” said Owens. “I continue to get positive feedback from constituents at town hall meetings and in my travels across the district on this issue, and this addition to the website offers me another chance to get ideas directly from the people I represent.”

Owens spear-headed a number of initiatives to cut spending and reduce government mandates in the past. In the 112^th Congress, Owens introduced and passed into law legislation eliminating an obsolete reporting mandate on auto dealerships and cutting spending at the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Owens also worked with his colleagues to press for the full implementation of savings identified in a recent report by the General Accountability Office.

In addition, Congressman Owens joined with a number of his colleagues in calling for USDA to reconsider calorie limits for school lunches after hearing from local school districts that the limitations went too far. USDA responded by eliminating the limits on grains and meat, giving schools greater flexibility to provide an adequate meal for their students.

“I support responsible spending cuts and mandate reform across the federal government, but no one person, party or elected official has all the right answers to get us there,” Owens said. “That’s why it is critical for constituents to weigh in with their thoughts for how we can continue improving the way government does business. This new section of my website is another step in that process.”

A link to the section on cutting spending can be found here, and a link to the section on eliminating mandates can be found here.

Congressmen, Local Chambers Team Up to Talk Small Business Issues at Skidmore College

Mon, 29 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Congressmen Bill Owens and Paul Tonko joined together at Skidmore College to host a forum on small business issues and local job creation. Owens and Tonko were joined by local economic development leaders including Peter Aust of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce, Todd Shimkus of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce and Regional Administrator Bernard Paprocki of the U.S. Small Business Administration, as well as small business owners from the region.

Congressmen Owens and Tonko noted the fact that over 60% of new private sector jobs over the past 15 years have been created by small businesses. The event highlighted opportunities for counseling and lending opportunities through the Small Business Administration as well as procurement and contracting opportunities for small businesses.

“I am grateful to everyone who turned out today to offer their thoughts on how we can better support local business,” Congressman Bill Owens said. “Local leaders and business owners are doing good work to lay the groundwork for job growth and new development, and I appreciate their insights on how Members of Congress like myself and Paul Tonko can help support their efforts in Washington.”

“Small businesses are the engines of economic growth and job creation,” said Congressman Paul Tonko. “Events like today’s allow Bill Owens and me to hear directly from our job creators, which is invaluable as a resource. It also provides small businesses the chance to hear directly from the administration, understand how to win contracts and ask questions about programs that the SBA offers that could help them grow their business and create jobs.”

“Helping small businesses start and expand is critical to our way of life here in Upstate NY,” said SBA Acting Regional Administrator Bernard Paprocki. “The exchange of information and ideas at events like this can be very valuable in making that happen.”

“On behalf of our 2,700 members all across Saratoga County, I want to thank U.S. Congressman Bill Owens and U.S. Congressman Paul Tonko for joining together to listen to the ideas, opportunities and challenges facing our region’s employers and for inviting the U.S. Small Business Administration to participate in this forum,” said Todd Shimkus of the Saratoga County Chamber of Commerce. “I believe this is the first time that these two Congressmen have hosted such an open forum together since their districts we’re adjusted to include Saratoga County and so we’re honored to be a part of this special event. We believe in convening creative ideas and positive partnerships and this forum will do just that.”

“Clearly, Representatives Owens and Tonko fully comprehend the impact that small business has on our economic recovery and job creation,” said Peter Aust of the Adirondack Regional Chamber of Commerce. “By hosting this vital forum and holding this crucial dialogue with small business, they are showing their commitment to ensuring our local and regional economies continue to grow and prosper.”

Welch and Owens tell DHS to abandon cross-border fee proposal

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

Reps. Peter Welch and Bill Owens are urging the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to abandon a proposal to study whether fees should be assessed on passengers and pedestrians crossing into the United States at land crossings such as the ones in Vermont and New York.

In a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, Welch and Owens urge her to reject the proposal, which was included in the Department’s FY2014 budget request.

“This is just a bad idea,” Welch and Owens said. “Border communities in Vermont and New York depend on cross border travel and commerce. The Department of Homeland Security should abandon this ill-advised study before it even begins.”

Welch and Owens’ full letter to Napolitano is copied below.

The Honorable Janet Napolitano

Secretary of Homeland Security

U.S. Department of Homeland Security

Washington, D.C. 20528

Dear Secretary Napolitano:

We write to convey our strong opposition to a proposal in the Department of Homeland Security’s Fiscal Year 2014 budget request, to study whether fees should be assessed on passengers and pedestrians crossing into the United States at land crossings.

This proposal would harm our border communities that depend on cross border travel and commerce. We urge you to reject it.

The economic integration of the United States and Canada and the facilitation of ease of access between the two countries should be a high priority for our federal government. Canada is our largest trading partner and the economic impact of Canadians on northern border communities -- and the benefit that Americans receive from traveling to Canada -- is significant. These economic and social traditions have solidified over centuries and should be promoted, not hindered. The future shared prosperity of communities on both sides of the border depends on it.

Further, such a fee would abrogate the spirit of the recent “Beyond the Border” agreement between the United States and Canada, a historic accord to facilitate cross border commerce on the Northern Border.

Given this, we were shocked to see that the Fiscal Year 2014 budget request proposed a study for a new toll on all passengers and pedestrians crossing the border from Canada into the United States. The imposition of such a toll would act as a barrier to the greater economic integration that we seek, and is the absolute last thing we should be doing to grow our economy. It would be a waste of government resources to even study the flawed idea.

Some have suggested that the toll could be used to offset the cost of increased security measures necessary to remain vigilant in a dangerous world. However homeland security and border protection are national priorities that benefit the entire country. Their cost should not be disproportionately borne by our communities, which should not be singled out and asked to do so.

We will actively oppose new fees for land border crossings and we urge you to reconsider this misguided proposal. At a time when we are looking to increase economic activity at our Northern Border, we should not be proposing policies that would do the reverse.

Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

PETER WELCH

Member of Congress

BILL OWENS

Member of Congress

Owens Returns Portion of 2012 Office Budget

Thu, 25 Apr 2013 04:00:00 GMT

In keeping with past tradition, Congressman Bill Owens announced today that he will return roughly $75,000 of his 2012 Congressional office budget to the United States Treasury. This marks the fourth consecutive year that Owens has returned surplus office funds to the government.

“Members of Congress must be responsible stewards of their own budget, especially as we look for ways to reduce the deficit and cut federal spending,” Owens said. “Effective management is key to making government work better across the board, and I remain fully committed to responsible efforts large and small to get America’s fiscal house in order.”

In all, Congressman Owens has returned over $400,000 from his house budget. Owens will return the $75,000 in addition to a 6.4% Congressional budget cut enacted with Owens’ support last year as part of the 2012 Legislative Branch Appropriations Act.

In addition to trimming his own budget, Owens has cosponsored legislation to cut his own salary, voted twice to freeze cost-of-living-adjustments for Members of Congress, and co-sponsored legislation to block Member pay if budget and appropriations work isn’t done on time.