Unshackle Upstate Statement Regarding Governor Cuomo’s 2020 State of the State Address

January 8th, 2020

“The facts don’t lie. New York has lost more than 1 million residents – many from Upstate communities – over the last decade. Additionally, New York has the nation’s highest overall tax burden.

While Albany has made considerable investments in Upstate New York, more must be done to keep overburdened families and employers from fleeing the state.

We welcome the governor’s recognition that New York’s tax burden hurts our business climate. Reducing tax rates for small businesses and middle class families is welcome news for millions of New Yorkers.

Unfortunately, Governor Cuomo also proposed several new regulations that will increase employers’ costs and make New York’s business climate more onerous. Paid sick leave and other proposed mandates will hurt struggling businesses and chase jobs out of the state.

Our recently released 2020 Advocacy Agenda shares a vision for a stronger Upstate economy can be viewed here.

We encourage Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders to embrace this vision and get our economy moving so more residents don’t have to move out of New York.”