Press Releases

Statement attributable to Michael Kracker, Unshackle Upstate executive director “It’s encouraging to see the Finger Lakes, Southern Tier and Mohawk Valley regions get the green light to re-open on May 15.  We urge the state to do whatever is necessary to help the remaining Upstate regions. As employers and regional leaders work together to get […]

“As state officials begin the important task of restarting our economy, it is critical that they engage Upstate businesses leaders in this process. While we understand the challenges of implementing a regional economic reboot, it’s important for state officials to recognize the realities on the ground. State and local leaders have taken strong steps to […]

“In the midst of an economic crisis brought on by a global pandemic, Albany rejected calls to do no harm. Instead, lawmakers rushed through a budget filled with policies that will impede New York’s economic recovery. New prevailing wage mandates on private construction work will increase project costs and reduce employment opportunities – especially in […]

ALBANY, NY – As the state grapples with the current COVID-19 crisis, Unshackle Upstate is raising concerns about a proposal to expand the state’s costly prevailing wage mandates to private construction. The New York State Legislature is currently pushing legislation that would dramatically restrict New York’s economic recovery following the COVID-19 outbreak. “As a result […]

“Last year, we joined farmers, farmworkers and countless others in opposing the so-called Farmworker Fair Labor Practices Act. Thousands of voices spoke out about the negative impacts this bill would have on family farms, workers, and the ailing Upstate economy. Despite those strong objections, this legislation was passed, and ultimately signed in a New York […]

Albany, NY– Today, Unshackle Upstate and the Associated Builders and Contractors Empire State Chapter called on legislators to reject the latest prevailing wage proposal to expand New York’s prevailing wage onto private projects. In testimony provided to legislators during a joint legislative hearing on economic development, Unshackle Upstate and ABC highlighted their objections to efforts […]

“While we await more details on Governor Cuomo’s budget proposals, what we have heard and seen is a mixed bag of modest tax relief alongside several anti-growth measures. According to a new poll from the Siena Research Institute, voters believe that tackling the state’s sky-high taxes should be at the top of the governor’s priority […]

“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 […]

BUFFALO, NY – Unshackle Upstate, a pro-taxpayer education and advocacy organization, released its 2020 Advocacy Agenda. The comprehensive document covers major policy areas including taxes, spending, health care, economic development, infrastructure, affordability and improving the state’s business climate. The organization’s key priorities for the 2020 legislative session include: The rejection of an expanded prevailing wage mandate; […]

View the following Politico story for additional context: https://www.politico.com/states/new-york/albany/story/2019/12/20/wfp-asks-candidates-to-stop-defending-taxpayers-9420487 “News that the Working Families Party is asking candidates to stop defending taxpayers is outrageous and shameful – even by Albany standards. Actual working families in every region of this state are struggling due in large part to high taxes. Last year, the Legislature took action to assist […]