Archives

“Unshackle Upstate is proud to join with fifty-eight other organizations in pushing for sensible and long-overdue reforms to New York State’s costly and outdated Workers’ Compensation program. Employers across the state pay the third highest workers’ compensation costs in the nation. Unnecessarily high workers’ compensation costs are a hidden tax that place Upstate employers at […]

“Since being established in 2011, New York’s Regional Economic Development Councils have played an important role in revitalizing the Upstate economy. We recognize that there is much more work to do on this front. However, enacting burdensome financial disclosure requirements will dissuade private sector volunteers from participating in the REDC process. These volunteers already abide […]

“Allowing ride-hailing services to operate in Upstate communities is long overdue and we thank the members of the Senate who voted in support of this proposal. Services like Uber and Lyft will provide Upstate residents and visitors with a safe, reliable transportation option that is already available in New York City and 47 states. Providing […]

“We thank the members of the Senate who voted in support of a permanent 2-percent property tax cap. Since it was enacted in 2011, the property tax cap has saved hardworking taxpayers more than $7 billion dollars. We call on the members of the Assembly to join with their Senate colleagues and pass a permanent […]

ROCHESTER, NY – Unshackle Upstate, a pro-taxpayer advocacy organization, has released its 2017 Legislative Agenda. In the comprehensive document, Unshackle Upstate calls for continued fiscal discipline, reforms to New York’s Workers Compensation program, ride-hailing in Upstate and action on other pro-growth measures. “The sensible reforms and proposals contained within this year’s agenda will get the Upstate […]

“We’re in the process of reviewing the numerous proposals advanced by Governor Cuomo but we’re certainly encouraged by the governor’s support for ride-sharing services in Upstate New York. Upstate residents, visitors and businesses will all benefit from greater access to safe, reliable and modern transportation options. We hope to see more proposals from the Governor […]

Unshackle Upstate (www.unshackleupstate.com), through its political action committee UPAC, today announced its endorsement of Sue Serino’s re-election campaign in the 41st Senate district. “We’re proud to support Sue Serino’s campaign because she’s demonstrated a strong commitment to easing New Yorkers’ tax burden and promoting job growth in the Hudson Valley,” said Greg Biryla, executive director of […]

ROCHESTER, NY – Unshackle Upstate (www.unshackleupstate.com), through its political action committee UPAC, today announced its slate of 2016 legislative endorsements. The bi-partisan list is comprised of 12 Senate candidates and 22 Assembly candidates. “Voters across Upstate are concerned about sluggish job growth and the overall health of the economy. The 33 candidates that we’ve endorsed […]

“The Tax Foundation has released its annual State Business Tax Climate Index and the results are troubling and frustrating. New York State has the second-worst business tax climate in the nation. That’s simply unacceptable. If a well-respected research organization published a report that had similar findings about our educational or health care systems, the outcry would be […]

ALBANY, NY – Unshackle Upstate, a pro-taxpayer, pro-business advocacy organization, today released its 2015-2016 legislative scorecards. The scorecards, available at www.unshackleupstate.com/legislative-activity/scorecards/, grade Senators and Assembly members based on their budget and legislative votes as well as sponsorships of specific bills during the 2015 and 2016 sessions. “As Election Day draws near, incumbent legislators will be talking about […]