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ROCHESTER, NY – Unshackle Upstate (www.unshackleupstate.com), through its political action committee UPAC, today announced its endorsement of Chris Tague in the 102nd Assembly district. “Unshackle Upstate believes that Chris Tague will be a strong advocate in the State Assembly for taxpayers and employers,” said Greg Biryla, executive director of Unshackle Upstate. “Chris is a strong supporter of […]

“While Governor Cuomo’s proposals are well intended, several of the new mandates contained in the Department of Labor’s report will place New York’s small businesses, large employers and not-for-profits at an even further competitive disadvantage without meaningfully addressing pay equity. Employers of every size, shape and industry have repeatedly expressed concern with the Department of […]

New York Senate candidate Julie Killian (R-Rye) has been endorsed by Unshackle Upstate, through its political action committee, UPAC. “Westchester families are over-taxed and Westchester small businesses are overburdened by an archaic and anti-competitive regulatory structure. We’re supporting Julie Killian’s campaign because she’s a proven leader who will deliver relief to taxpayers and economic opportunity […]

“Hardworking taxpayers across the state should be relieved to know that nearly one billion dollars in new taxes were not included in the final state budget. We appreciate the efforts of the Senate Republican Conference in rejecting those increases which would have compounded New York’s massive tax burden. This should send yet another message that […]

ALBANY, NY – Two of the state’s leading pro-business organizations called on the Assembly and Governor Cuomo to include a package of regulatory reforms as part of the State budget. The groups stated that enacting the reforms – which were already approved by the Senate – would provide businesses, non-profits and local governments with opportunities […]

18 of the state’s leading pro-business and pro-taxpayer organizations sent a letter to Governor Cuomo and the Legislature today detailing their collective opposition to the expansion of New York’s prevailing wage mandate. The letter, which can be viewed here, states that expanding the costly mandate to private development projects that receive some degree of public support would dramatically […]

“We thank the members of the Senate Republican Conference for advancing a package of employer-friendly proposals that will reduce taxes and provide regulatory relief to create economic opportunity Upstate. Employers and taxpayers across Upstate New York have struggled under the weight of New York’s massive tax burden for far too long. The measures contained in this proposal […]

Note: Today, Unshackle Upstate submitted written testimony to the Joint Legislative Budget Hearing on Taxes. That testimony can be viewed here. “New York’s high tax burden continues to plague Upstate families and businesses. Until our leaders in Albany take bold steps to ease that burden, the Upstate population will continue to decline and the Upstate economy […]

“The budget proposal advanced by Governor Cuomo sends exactly the wrong message to Upstate taxpayers and employers. Rather than putting forth sensible spending reductions and real tax relief, the Executive Budget proposal seeks to expand state spending and increase taxes by $1 billion. This is irresponsible and ill advised. This reckless tax-and-spend proposal will not […]

Statement attributable to Greg Biryla, Unshackle Upstate executive director “Hardworking families simply cannot thrive in New York’s high tax environment. In fact, more than a million New Yorkers have fled the state since 2010 in search of jobs and lower taxes. We thank Senate Majority Leader John Flanagan and his conference for recognizing this crisis […]