Press Releases

Upstate United has released its 2024 End of Session Priorities ahead of the final scheduled week of this year’s Legislative Session. The non-partisan organization, which represents businesses and trade organizations, focuses on being pro-taxpayer and pro-economic growth, with a large emphasis on the needs of Upstate New York. Upstate United has outlined the top three […]

A statement from Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “With one month left to go Senate and Assembly leaders are fast-tracking a new version of the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) legislation, a measure that will increase consumer costs and ban some of the essential goods New Yorkers purchase daily. While the intentions of legislation […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United   “While the 2024 enacted budget reached a record high of $237 billion and was passed several days after the April 1 deadline, the reality is that the final result could have been much worse for New Yorkers. “We were pleased to […]

Statement attributed to Justin Wilcox Executive Director of Upstate United “We are beyond disappointed that both the Senate and Assembly’s One-House Budget proposals included measures to raise income taxes, a complete disregard of Comptroller DiNapoli’s warnings back in December. Fortunately, Governor Hochul has signaled that raising income taxes is a non-starter for her and we […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United “It comes as no surprise that data released by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) shows that New York farms are struggling to survive, with nearly 5,000 shuttered since 2012. “While the reality of this situation is disturbing, it comes following countless […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United “We were pleased that Governor Hochul’s 2024 Executive Budget presentation outlined several important investments, while also acknowledging the need for responsible spending in the coming year. “While it was encouraging that financial fixes through new taxes or gimmicks were not on […]

Upstate United 2024 Advocacy Agenda and Key Priorities Today, Upstate United, a non-partisan organization representing businesses and trade organizations, released its 2024 Advocacy Agenda. The agenda focuses on pro-taxpayer and pro-economic growth policies, including items such as no new taxes, infrastructure investments, energy reliability and affordability, enhancing healthcare options, reinvigorating our communities with immigrants, and […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United “Today, Governor Hochul delivered her 2024 State of the State address which highlighted several of the 204 initiatives that serve as the framework for New York’s priorities in the year ahead. While the governor touched on some issues that New Yorkers […]

The following statement is attributed to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United “According to new US Census Bureau data released today, New York continues to lead the nation in population decline, losing more than 100,000 residents from July 2022 to July 2023.  We continue to outpace decline in larger states, like California, while neighboring states like […]

Statement attributed to Justin Wilcox Executive Director of Upstate United “As Albany leaders prepare to negotiate the state’s budget and legislative priorities, I encourage our electeds to take heed of Comptroller DiNapoli’s warnings as outlined in his most recent report. DiNapoli has once again highlighted the significant financial impacts that out-migration has had on the state’s revenue in […]