Press Releases

The following statement is attributable to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United “This historic $100 billion investment by Micron will create good-paying jobs and provide a major boost to Central New York’s local economies. We applaud the collaborative efforts of Senator Schumer, Governor Hochul and Onondaga County Executive McMahon as well as Micron President […]

The following statement is attributable to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United  “There’s no doubt that Commissioner Reardon’s disastrous decision will lead to fewer family farms, smaller paychecks for farm workers and higher costs for consumers. The fact remains that New York has been losing farms for decades – more than 3,800 over the […]

The following statement is attributable to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United  “The August 2022 Consumer Price Index published today by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that sky-high inflation is still squeezing struggling consumers and employers across the nation. The rising costs of food – 11.4 percent over the last – year […]

The following statement is attributable to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United  “The report advanced today by the Farm Laborers Wage Board is a death sentence for many family farms across the state. Wage Board members Brenda McDuffie and Dennis Hughes ignored the pleas of hardworking farmworkers and farmers – the majority of whom […]

The following statement is attributable to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United “Micron’s decision to build its new $15 billion chip plant in Idaho shows that New York can’t compete with other states for major, transformative projects. The state’s new Green CHIPS program simply can’t overcome its massive tax burden and harsh business climate. […]

The following statement is attributable to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United  “The findings of Comptroller DiNapoli’s updated Unemployment Insurance report are extremely alarming. New York’s unemployment insurance crisis will continue to hurt employers and consumers at the worst possible time. Millions of families who are already being squeezed by historic inflation rates will […]

The following statement is attributable to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United  “We strongly encourage the members of the state’s Climate Action Council to read today’s new NYISO report. This in-depth document shows that power in Upstate New York is predominantly produced by zero-emission sources. Upstate energy consumers should not be forced to bear […]

Business groups identify several legislative proposals that would drive up costs amidst record inflation if enacted. Upstate United and NFIB NY have released a joint list of legislative measures dubbed The Excessive Seven that would increase costs for consumers and employers if enacted this year. The organizations called on legislators to reject these proposals and […]

Upstate United, a non-partisan pro-taxpayer organization, has released an updated fact sheet highlighting New York’s $9.3 billion unemployment insurance debt. Troubling Trends – New York’s Unemployment Insurance Crisis Keeps Growing  demonstrates the significant impacts this massive debt on employers and consumers. “Despite repeated calls for unemployment insurance relief from New York’s business community, our leaders […]

The following statements are attributable to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United Main Budget Statement: “Governor Hochul and legislative leaders have passed a massive budget that spends too much and does too little to help overburdened taxpayers and employers. At $220 billion – just over $11,000 per New Yorker – this budget fails to […]