Press Releases

A statement from Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United. “Following the release of the New York State Comptroller’s most recent audit, we reiterate our calls to pause the implementation of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) until critical issues are addressed. Moreover, the report shared today highlights what we have been saying publicly for years […]

A statement from Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United. “Yesterday’s draft report issued by the New York State Department of Public Service (DPS) and NYSERDA referred to the state’s goal to achieve 70% renewables by 2030 as ‘extraordinarily ambitious’ and concluded that a delay in achieving the 70% goal may be unavoidable. “Given the amount of government resources […]

A statement from Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United  “Since the passage of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) in 2019, the Public Service Commission (PSC) has been assigned the nearly impossible and unenviable task of developing a program to require that the statewide electrical demand system be ‘zero emissions’ by 2040. […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United. “The New York Independent System Operator’s 2024 Power Trends report should serve as a wake-up call to every policymaker in Albany.   “If we want to keep the lights on, attract more economic development projects, and protect our people, Albany must reconsider its […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “At a time when residents are facing high prices as a result of inflation and leaving New York State at record levels, lawmakers should be looking to make the state more affordable for consumers. Instead, the current Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) proposal […]

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 […]