Archives

Jul 14 2026

Upstate United Rejects Gov. Hochul’s Data Center Moratorium

The following can be attributed to Upstate United Executive Director Justin Wilcox.  A letter from Upstate United in opposition to the Executive Order to implement a Data Center Moratorium can be found here. “While we understand there are some valid concerns around data center development in New York State, many stemming from the state’s self-inflicted power […]



Jul 13 2026

Upstate United Responds to Citizens Budget Commission

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United: “It’s difficult not to be alarmed by this data. With the latest CBC tool, Upstate New Yorkers can see for themselves the devastating impacts of Albany’s policies — businesses failing to grow, population decline, and the loss of revenue. NYS needs to course correct now […]


Jul 9 2026

New York would do well to learn from Ohio.

A statement attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United.  Ohio is now CNBC’s #1 State for Business in America, capping a years-long climb from 34th in 2010 to 1st in 2026. During that same period, New York has improved from 24th to 18th, but it continues to trail many of its competitors in critical areas related to affordability […]


Jul 7 2026

Albany Times Union Commentary: What democratic socialists’ victories really tell us

The success of DSA candidates in New York reflects deeper institutional failures that are reshaping American politics across both parties. By Justin Wilcox, For the Times Union July 7, 2026 The recent primary victories by Democratic Socialists of America candidates in New York City and across the state have reignited a familiar debate in the Democratic Party. […]


Jul 3 2026

Rochester Business Journal: New York is paying for its energy transition twice | Guest Opinion

Read on RBJ.net here. Fitch recently revised its outlook for the North American utilities sector from ‘neutral’ to ‘deteriorating,’ reflecting mounting credit pressure from a more difficult political and regulatory environment for cost recovery. This was not the result of weak demand – instead, the reason is much more problematic: the politics of paying for […]


Jun 24 2026

PoliticoPro: New York weakened its climate law. Now comes the hard part.

Gov. Kathy Hochul has more time to make difficult decisions about reducing emissions, but the state’s energy battles are far from settled. By: Marie J. French | 06/24/2026 – Read at PoliticoPro ALBANY, New York — Gov. Kathy Hochul’s success in weakening New York’s climate law will have a cascading impact on the state’s energy […]


Jun 5 2026

End of Session Recap Statement from Upstate United 

The following can be attributed to Upstate United Executive Director Justin Wilcox. Ratepayer Transparency Act: “In a time of great concern surrounding energy affordability for families and business owners, it is disappointing that the bipartisan Ratepayer Transparency Act (A.8414/S.8128) did not receive a vote from both houses before the conclusion of this year’s legislative session. […]


Jun 4 2026

LoHud: NY’s small businesses are drowning. This lifeline can help

OPINION NY’s small businesses are drowning. This lifeline can help Justin Wilcox Special to the USA TODAY Network June 4, 2026 Byzantine. Labyrinth. Laborious. Outdated. These are all words that could — and have — been used to describe New York’s thicket of over 300,000 regulations that businesses and residents alike have to wade through […]