Free Filing

Onondaga County libraries and AARP have partnered to provide free tax help for those who have yet to file for tonight's midnight deadline. The libraries have served as a host site where volunteers, trained by AARP, can assist people with their taxes and help them file online. The library is in charge of organizing the appointments for those who wish to take advantage of the service.

However, with the deadline quickly approaching, many of the sites have already filled their appointments. While their is usually an increase in calls during the last few days of the tax season, this year has seen an even greater increase due to the income tax stimulus program. The program requires that people file their taxes in order to be eligible to receive money provided by the program.

If you have not yet filed your taxes you can apply for an extension through the IRS, however, if you owe money, you will still have to pay. Those that are filing only for the stimulus program still have some time to file, so the libraries will be continuing their program through the end of the month. For more information you can visit their website by clicking here.

More Green For State Parks

People were out enjoying the sunshine at Fayetteville's Green Lakes State park today, and there could be more to enjoy at all New York State Parks. Governor Patterson said this year's state budget will include a record $95 million for state parks.

Many Central New Yorkers have their own ideas of how they would liked to see the money used at Green Lakes. From using the money to keep the pathways clean to putting more fish in the lake it seemed that there was no consensus among those who visited the park today.

Green Lakes is part of the Central region of State Parks, but Regional Coordinator Jean Egenhofer was unavailable to comment on what plans for the money might already be in the works. Central New York will also benefit from money that will be designated to improving the State Fairgrounds.

For more information about State Parks click here.

Rights on Flights

If you ever find yourself stuck in an airplane on the runway for more than 3 hours you might be able to stand up for your rights: literally.  Sen. Chuck Schumer is attempting to push for legislation that would provide the nation's first passenger bill of rights.  If passed, airlines would have to provide food, water, and bathroom access for passengers stranded on the runway for up to 3 hours.  After 3 hours passengers would be allowed to de-plane.

At Syracuse Hancock International Airport such an event is not very common.  Syracuse Dept. of Aviation Spokesperson Christina Reale says she can only remember one time when an airline was forced to deplane passengers due to a mechanical problem.

The Syracuse Dept. of Aviation says the 3 most common causes of delays are weather and congestion at other airports, required rest periods for the flight crew, and mechanical repairs.  Airlines could soon be held responsible for the comfort of the passengers no matter what the cause of the delay and air travelers say it is only fair.

"It can get very hot and make you feel trapped if you are stuck on the runway for a long time" says air passenger Xavier Aguirre.

The bill could be especially helpful in New York City where they are currently experiencing the countries worst flight delays.