News Archive | Upstate United

May 28 2026

Rochester Beacon Guest Opinion: Why New Yorkers pay more for electricity than the average American

By JUSTIN WILCOX – May 27, 2026 Read the full article here. New York families paid two thirds more for electricity than the national average in February, according to the Energy Information Administration—and it’s not because the wires cost more here. It’s because Albany rewrote the rules. Over the past decade, New York didn’t simply reform its […]

May 20 2026

NEW PAPER: Hidden Albany-Backed Program Costs New York Electric Customers Up to $1.7 Billion a Year

Two energy industry veterans — who supported carbon markets and helped develop and operate generating projects, including renewable projects in competitive electricity markets where there is carbon pricing— now warn the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) has become “essentially a tax” on New Yorkers’ electric bills As New York families and businesses continue to absorb […]

May 19 2026

WRGB Albany: Memorial Day travel faces sticker shock as local gas jumps $1.50 a gallon from last year

by Emma Quinn, Mon, May 18, 2026. Watch on CBS6Albany. CAPITAL REGION, NY (WRGB) — Whether you’re hitting the road, hopping on a plane, or train this Memorial Day weekend, the cost of traveling has risen, and it’s bound to impact consumers’ wallets. According to GasBuddy, prices for regular gas are up $0.04 since last week […]

May 7 2026

Upstate United: Final Budget Must Support Gov. Hochul’s Fight to Limit Spiraling Energy Costs

“We applaud Governor Hochul for recognizing the need to change course on policies that will no doubt pile on costs to New Yorkers at a time when they can least afford them. Adjusting the state’s emissions accounting formula and extending deadlines for provisions under the climate law are positive steps towards ensuring that New York […]

Apr 29 2026

Out-of-Touch Amicus Brief Supports Saddling New Yorkers with Thousands in New Costs

The following statement is attributable to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director, Upstate United in response to an amicus brief filed by some New York State lawmakers in support of petitioners suing the Department of Environmental Conservation. “This amicus brief is completely out of touch—and frankly, unconscionable. At a time when New Yorkers are already struggling with rising […]

Apr 20 2026

Syracuse Post-Standard Opinion: NY drivers pay billions. Why are we still dodging potholes? (Guest Opinion by Justin Wilcox)

By Justin Wilcox | Upstate United Read on Syracuse Post-Standard. Justin Wilcox, of Brighton, is the executive director of Upstate United, a nonpartisan business and taxpayer advocacy coalition focused on growing the Upstate economy. On March 13, the New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) announced it fills more than 1 million potholes each year. […]

Apr 13 2026

Rochester Business Journal: Think Rochester property taxes are high? You’re right: Highest in U.S., study finds

Kevin Oklobzija//April 13, 2026// Read on RBJ.net Property owners in the Greater Rochester area pay the highest “effective” tax rate in country among metropolitan areas with at least one million residents, a recent analysis has found. The annual property tax report by ATTOM, a real estate data analytics firm, shows an effective tax rate of 1.82 percent for the Rochester metro […]

Apr 2 2026

Cortland Standard: IRS data confirms $10B income loss as New Yorkers leave the state

Upstate United Executive Director Justin Wilcox released a statement that said IRS data validates the state’s affordability crisis. Wilcox said the IRS data, presented by Albany Times Union, is alarming but timely as lawmakers continue negotiating this year’s fiscal plan. He said the data showed that nearly $10 billion in taxable income was lost due […]

Apr 1 2026

Upstate United: Hundreds of Thousands of New York Residents Left and Took Billions of Dollars with Them

Statement attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “The data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in today’s Albany Times Union article is as alarming as it is timely while lawmakers continue to negotiate this year’s fiscal plan. The data shows that nearly $10 billion in taxable income was lost due to the significant […]

Mar 30 2026

Buffalo News Another Voice: Lawfare against the energy sector won’t make New York more affordable

By Justin Wilcox March 30, 2026 – Read on the Buffalo News. There’s no doubt that climbing energy prices are contributing to the ongoing cost-of-living crisis. Gov. Kathy Hochul warns that New York’s climate mandates are likely to increase utility bills by thousands of dollars in the coming years. Unfortunately, rather than rolling back unrealistic […]