Blog | Page 3 of 53 | Upstate United

May 26 2021

Troubling Trends: Flawed Energy Policies Fuel Higher Energy Costs

This new Troubling Trends fact sheet explores the widespread impact of the Climate and Community Investment Act. This proposal would ultimately lead to higher energy prices for consumers across New York State. Making gasoline, natural gas and other fuel sources more expensive would disproportionately hurt Upstate consumers as they are more reliant on those fuels […]

May 18 2021

Troubling Trends: Examining the Side Effects of a Single Payer System

In our latest Troubling Trends fact sheet, we highlight the disastrous impacts of the New York Health Act. This extreme proposal would make private health insurance illegal and replace it with a one-size-fits-all program run by the government. It would also lead to extraordinary tax increases, widespread job losses and long wait times for health […]

May 4 2021

New York’s Leading Business Groups Call for Hero Act Reforms

Upstate United is proud to join with 48 other organizations in calling on legislative leaders to support sensible reforms to the recently passed Hero Act. The joint statement can be viewed below: “While the NY Hero Act is well intentioned, we are calling on our leaders in Albany to work together to modify certain aspects […]

Apr 28 2021

New Taxed Out Fact Sheet Examines New York’s Historic Tax Hikes

As part of New York’s massive $212 billion budget, leaders in Albany raised the state’s income tax and corporate tax rates. To shine some light on these new taxes and what it means for New York’s population crisis, we’ve published a new version of our Taxed Out fact sheet. You can also download it here.

Mar 15 2021

United for a Stronger Economy and a Brighter Future

For more than a decade, our organization has been recognized as a strong voice for Upstate taxpayers and employers. By uniting and amplifying voices from every Upstate community, we’ve scored major victories including the defeat of a 45% Thruway toll hike, the passage of the 2% property tax cap and the enactment of sensible reforms […]

Jun 18 2020

2020 NYS Legislative Primaries

On Tuesday (6/23), New York will hold the first state legislative primaries under the new political calendar. Despite the new date and the unprecedented cloud of a public health crisis, much of the traditional political dynamics are the same. Upstate primaries remain rare, occurring almost exclusively in open seats where the incumbent is retiring or […]

Jun 16 2020

Unshackle Upstate Testifies at Assembly Small Business Hearing

Unshackle Upstate Executive Director Michael Kracker testified at the NYS Assembly virtual hearing. The focus of the hearing was on the federal response to the economic impact of COVID-19 on small businesses. Unshackle Upstate’s testimony highlighted the fiscal crisis brought on by a months-long economic shutdown, the use of federal support programs as a lifeline […]

Jun 11 2020

Webinar: COVID-19 & Taxes

Unshackle Upstate recently hosted the Tax Foundation for a policy webinar focused on the tax state and federal tax implications of COVID-19. Garret Watson, Senior Policy Analyst and Jared Walczak, Director of State Tax Policy joined UU executive director Michael Kracker for a discussion about the impact of COVID-19 on state and federal revenues and […]

Jun 2 2020

Legislative Session Resumes

After a seven-week hiatus, the legislature resumed session this week to pass legislation related to the COVID pandemic. Some members were physically present in the chamber while others participated remotely. While some members suggested the legislature would return to Albany to continue this legislative session, leadership made no formal announcement. In total, 32 bills passed […]

May 19 2020

Upstate Update: Senator Rob Ortt

State Senator Rob Ortt joined Unshackle Upstate executive director Michael Kracker for an Upstate Update. The two discussed the impact of COVID-19 in the Senator’s district, what he is doing to support small businesses in his community and the reopening process for Upstate businesses. You can view that conversation here: