Madison County Democratic Committee

Owens SUNY Morrisville Town Hall This Monday

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: January 3, 2012

Contact: Sean Magers, 202-226-5795

Owens to Host Town Hall at SUNY Morrisville

All Constituents Encouraged to Attend

WASHINGTON – Congressman Bill Owens announced today that he will hold a community forum on Monday, January 9^th on campus at SUNY Morrisville.  Owens will deliver brief opening remarks about job creation and economic development, and then answer direct questions from constituents in attendance.

“I am pleased to have the opportunity to provide a forum for New Yorkers to voice their concerns and discuss what is important to them,” said Owens. “The best way to solve problems is to have an open and civil discussion on the issues facing the nation.”

Congressman Owens has connected with more than 100,000 Upstate New Yorkers through telephone town halls when his duties as a U.S. Representative have kept him in Washington. In 2011, Owens and his staff held more than 90 “mobile office hours” events throughout the region.  He has also traveled throughout the Congressional district that includes all or parts of eleven counties to hear constituent concerns and continue his focus to put New Yorkers back to work.

All constituents from New York’s 23^rd Congressional District are encouraged to attend.

WHAT:           Town Hall Meeting with Congressman Bill Owens

WHEN:           Monday, January 9, 2012

6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Doors open at 6:00 p.m.

WHERE:         SUNY Morrisville

STUAC Theater

Student Activities Building

90 Eaton Street

Morrisville, NY 13408

FOR MORE INFORMATION: Sean Magers, 202-226-5795

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Sean Magers

Communications Director

Office of Congressman Bill Owens (NY-23)

431 Cannon HOB |Washington, DC 20515
202-225-4611 (o) 202-480-5657 (c)

http://owens.house.gov

Please sign up for Rep. Owens' e-newsletter here.

Owens Votes to Ease Regulations on Farms

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 9, 2011

Contact: Sean Magers, 202-226-5795

Owens Votes to Ease Regulations on Farms

Bill prohibits further regulation of rural dust by the EPA

WASHINGTON – Yesterday, Congressman Bill Owens voted in favor of legislation that would rein in regulations on family farms by the Environment Protection Agency.  H.R. 1633, the Farm Dust Regulation Prevention Act, would prevent the EPA from issuing new rules that regulate “farm dust.” The legislation passed the House of Representatives XXX-XXX.

“Family farms are a main economic driver of the region, and it is critical that we work to provide the tools they need to thrive and expand,” said Owens. “This legislation provides the certainty New York farmers need to make long-term investments in their business and contribute to the economic growth of the region.”

The bipartisan bill will ensure that no new regulations will be written regarding coarse particulate matter on farms, also called “farm dust.”  New regulations could prove costly for New York farmers to implement, which would hinder economic development and food security of the region.

Earlier this year, Owens joined a bipartisan group of colleagues in urging the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to exempt milk spills from being classified in the same manner as oil spills under the Oil Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasure program.  On February 15, Owens met with EPA Regional Administrator Judith Enck, who advised the Congressman that this proposed regulation would not be adopted.

Owens has also worked with local stakeholders and a bipartisan group of colleagues in urging the EPA to abandon a proposed rule that would over-regulate the waste oil created when motorists perform their own oil changes.

Last week, Congressman Owens voted for two bills that would reduce regulations on small businesses in New York.  He also offers a forum on his website for small business owners to report regulations they believe to be unnecessary.  New Yorkers can find the form here:http://owens.house.gov/Contact/SmallBizRegs.htm

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