Press Releases

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 […]

Statement attributed to Justin Wilcox Executive Director of Upstate United following The New York Independent System Operator’s (NYISO) recently released 2023-2032 Comprehensive Reliability Plan (CRP). “NYISO has once again connected this startling reality to the public policies that are making it much more challenging to maintain grid reliability. As a result, we continue to repeat […]

Upstate United, a non-partisan, business and taxpayer advocacy group, is proud to announce that they have received a $100,000 award from Verizon as part of the company’s Digital Equity and Inclusion Program. The investment will be divided between the Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce, Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce, North Country Chamber of Commerce, and […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “Instead of pushing for the NY HEAT Act in the 2024 budget, which would add another layer of bureaucracy and confusion to the state’s complex climate initiatives, lawmakers should focus on how to improve laws that are already in place. We […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “The PCS’s unanimous decision to deny requests for increased funding for renewable energy projects was the right one – and a huge win for Upstate ratepayers.  “We have called for transparency relating to the price tag of the CLCPA from the […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United A staggering 80 percent of New Yorkers – across the political spectrum – identified cost of living to be the most important issue for state leaders to address, with 57 percent displeased with the quality o life in New York. These […]