Press Releases

Unshackle Upstate, a pro-taxpayer, Upstate focused advocacy and education organization, has released its 2018 Advocacy Agenda. The document identifies 43 issues that impact taxpayers and employers across New York. “The proposals contained in our 2018 agenda can help New York address its multi-billion dollar deficit without adding to taxpayers’ burden. By holding the line on spending, […]

“New York’s abysmal ranking in the Tax Foundation’s 2018 State Business Tax Climate Index is extremely disappointing but not surprising. For the last decade, New York has had one of the worst business tax climates in the nation. This is a sad status quo that sends an embarrassing and harmful message to businesses looking to bring jobs […]

“Five years ago, Unshackle Upstate fought back against a proposal to raise Thruway tolls by a staggering 45 percent. Today, Governor Cuomo has indicated that tolls will rise after 2020 in order to subsidize the cost of the Tappan Zee Bridge. It’s unfair to ask Upstate commuters to pay for a bridge that many will […]

“We thank Governor Cuomo and members of the Legislature for speeding up the start date for ride-hailing services across Upstate New York. As visitors and residents enjoy Upstate’s incredible summer tourism destinations, they’ll be able to see and do more thanks to the arrival of modern transportation options. We call on Albany’s leaders to build […]

“As summer tourism season draws near, hundreds of thousands of visitors will flock to enjoy our Upstate communities, lakes, parks and festivals. It’s important for business that residents and visitors have access to modern and reliable transportation options. This will help boost Upstate tourism – a key component of the regional economy. We thank Senator […]

“This year’s state budget achieves some progress on long overdue reforms that will benefit Upstate’s communities and its economy. By green lighting ride-hailing services in Upstate New York, Governor Cuomo and the Legislature have created opportunity for Upstate cities and towns, and small businesses. Upstate New Yorkers will finally have the same modern, reliable transportation […]

“Unshackle Upstate applauds Majority Leader Flanagan and his Senate colleagues for putting forward a budget resolution that follows a path of fiscal discipline and specifically addresses several key items of importance to the Upstate economy – including long-overdue Workers’ Compensation reforms and allowing ride-hailing Upstate. Last year, Unshackle Upstate and our partners conducted a survey […]

“Unshackle Upstate is proud to join with fifty-eight other organizations in pushing for sensible and long-overdue reforms to New York State’s costly and outdated Workers’ Compensation program. Employers across the state pay the third highest workers’ compensation costs in the nation. Unnecessarily high workers’ compensation costs are a hidden tax that place Upstate employers at […]

“Since being established in 2011, New York’s Regional Economic Development Councils have played an important role in revitalizing the Upstate economy. We recognize that there is much more work to do on this front. However, enacting burdensome financial disclosure requirements will dissuade private sector volunteers from participating in the REDC process. These volunteers already abide […]

“Allowing ride-hailing services to operate in Upstate communities is long overdue and we thank the members of the Senate who voted in support of this proposal. Services like Uber and Lyft will provide Upstate residents and visitors with a safe, reliable transportation option that is already available in New York City and 47 states. Providing […]