Archives

Jan 16 2024

Statement From Upstate United Regarding Governor Hochul’s Executive Budget Proposal

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United “We were pleased that Governor Hochul’s 2024 Executive Budget presentation outlined several important investments, while also acknowledging the need for responsible spending in the coming year. “While it was encouraging that financial fixes through new taxes or gimmicks were not on […]


Jan 12 2024

Upstate United Releases 2024 Advocacy Agenda

Upstate United 2024 Advocacy Agenda and Key Priorities Today, Upstate United, a non-partisan organization representing businesses and trade organizations, released its 2024 Advocacy Agenda. The agenda focuses on pro-taxpayer and pro-economic growth policies, including items such as no new taxes, infrastructure investments, energy reliability and affordability, enhancing healthcare options, reinvigorating our communities with immigrants, and […]



Dec 26 2023

CONNECT NY: Migrants & Asylum Seekers

Season 9 Episode 12 | 56m 46s  On the December edition of Connect NY, we’ll explore the state’s response to the influx of migrants coming to New York since early 2022. We’ll consider the priorities and leadership from Governor Kathy Hochul; highlight the range of local responses outside of New York City; and discuss the […]


Dec 26 2023

Albany Times Union: Upstate New York sees minimum wage rise to $15.00

Capital Region employers already pay more, though, due to labor shortage Click here to read the full article by Rick Karlin. ALBANY — The minimum wage across upstate New York is rising to $15.00 from $14.20 on Jan. 1 – but even those who opposed the move see it as a non-event, at least in […]


Dec 20 2023

New York Once Again Leads the Nation in Population Decline

The following statement is attributed to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United “According to new US Census Bureau data released today, New York continues to lead the nation in population decline, losing more than 100,000 residents from July 2022 to July 2023.  We continue to outpace decline in larger states, like California, while neighboring states like […]


Dec 12 2023

Albany Times Union: New coalition to highlight migrants as boon for upstate

Click here to read the full article by Raga Justin. The Ellis Island Initiative lists among its members major unions and business associations. It hopes to convince local communities that migrants will boost the economy. The ‘Ellis Island Initiative’ will strive to cast the recent influx of migrants as a boon for industry, coalition organizers […]


Dec 12 2023

Buffalo News: Electric grid operator warns of risks from rising power needs

Click here to read the full piece by Matt Glynn of the Buffalo New. Electric grid operator warns of risks from rising power needs A new report by the New York Independent System Operator focuses on the need to meet the rising demand for electricity over the next 10 years. The operator of the state’s […]


Dec 5 2023

Upstate United Echoes Warnings of Comptroller Ahead of a Difficult Financial Year

Statement attributed to Justin Wilcox Executive Director of Upstate United “As Albany leaders prepare to negotiate the state’s budget and legislative priorities, I encourage our electeds to take heed of Comptroller DiNapoli’s warnings as outlined in his most recent report. DiNapoli has once again highlighted the significant financial impacts that out-migration has had on the state’s revenue in […]


Dec 5 2023

Report outlines potential challenges to New York’s electrical grid over next decade

BY JACK ARPEY NEW YORK STATE PUBLISHED DEC. 04, 2023 Read the full story on Spectrum News State of Politics The New York Independent System Operator, which manages New York’s power supply, says in a new report that while there aren’t significant immediate threats to the reliability of New York’s power grid, over the next 10 years, […]