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“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 […]

Testimony provided at the request of the New York State Senate Committee on Commerce, Economic Development and Small Business and the Senate Administrative Regulations Review Committee January 4, 2018 First, my sincere thanks to Senator Jacobs, Senator Boyle and their legislative colleagues for providing the opportunity to discuss the New York State Department of Labor’s […]

“Governor Cuomo covered a lot of issues during today’s State of the State address but none were more critical than property taxes. New York’s massive property tax burden drives hardworking men and women out of the state and factors in to our harsh business climate. Unfortunately for overburdened taxpayers, there was no mention of advancing […]

“The priorities outlined in the Senate Majority’s 2018 legislative agenda must become realities in 2018. Making New York’s spending cap and property tax cap permanent are two critical measures that will save taxpayers billions. Senate Majority Leader Flanagan is right – hardworking men and women across New York are already overtaxed and any efforts to […]

Albany, N.Y – A coalition of the state’s leading business and industry groups today announced their commitment to advocating for reforms to New York’s prevailing wage law. In light of the state’s budget multi-billion dollar deficit and overwhelming infrastructure needs, the coalition is calling on members of the Legislature to reform this outdated and costly […]

Unshackle Upstate, a pro-taxpayer, Upstate focused advocacy and education organization, has released its 2018 Advocacy Agenda. The document identifies 43 issues that impact taxpayers and employers across New York. “The proposals contained in our 2018 agenda can help New York address its multi-billion dollar deficit without adding to taxpayers’ burden. By holding the line on spending, […]

“New York’s abysmal ranking in the Tax Foundation’s 2018 State Business Tax Climate Index is extremely disappointing but not surprising. For the last decade, New York has had one of the worst business tax climates in the nation. This is a sad status quo that sends an embarrassing and harmful message to businesses looking to bring jobs […]