News Archive | Page 9 of 35

Apr 28 2025

Rochester Democrat & Chronical: State labor law penalizes small businesses

The following column appeared in print on Sunday, April 27, 2025. Imagine you operate a mom-and-pop grocery store, a salon, or a small information technology shop. Would you assume that your employees are manual workers? The designation seems more appropriate for roofers, plumbers, masons and factory workers. However, under New York state’s arcane labor […]

Apr 23 2025

New York Leaders Must Advance Stable Policy During Time of Uncertainty

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “While many policymakers and advocates are holding out hope that the Heat Act will be part of the final budget discussions, we urge New York State leaders to take note that Governors of other states, like Connecticut, Maryland and Pennsylvania, are simultaneously […]

Apr 9 2025

Albany Times Union Letter to the Editor: ‘Circular economy’ is right track for recyclable waste

Embracing innovative recycling solutions should be top of mind as lawmakers in Albany deliberate proposals to reduce waste, including differing iterations of a policy known as Extended Producer Responsibility (“The truth about plastics is that much of it can’t be recycled,” March 9). By ensuring infinite recycling technologies are a key part of the equation, […]

Apr 9 2025

Democrat & Chronicle: NY’s tax rates ranked among highest in the nation, study finds

Emily Barnes – New York Connect Team – Read Here New York state has some of the highest tax rates in the country, according to a newly released study by WalletHub. The Empire State ranked 50-out-of-51 — with No. 51 having the highest tax rate — on the list, which compared state and local tax […]

Apr 8 2025

Buffalo News Another Voice: Let’s pump the brakes on the state’s clean cars rule

You can read the opinion piece by Justin Wilcox here. As families across New York and the United States contend with high utility bills and inflated grocery prices, making life more affordable should be the top priority for lawmakers in Albany. Gov. Kathy Hochul has put affordability at the forefront of her agenda. A key […]

Apr 3 2025

Upstate United Responds to Federal Tariff Update

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “Igniting a trade war with some of our state’s closest allies will have a profoundly negative impact on Upstate business owners, industries such as farming and construction, and families alike. Tariffs are taxes. Period. And these chaotic double-digit tariffs could potentially […]

Apr 2 2025

New York’s Overall Tax Burden Ranks Second in the Nation in 2025

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “According to a newly released study from Wallethub, New York is ranked at the top of the list for having the highest individual income tax burden (5.76% to state and local governments), second highest overall tax burden (13.56% of personal income), fourth highest in […]

Mar 31 2025

PoliticoPro: Environmental groups sue New York over climate law delay

A new lawsuit alleges Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration is violating the state’s climate law by failing to issue regulations to cut emissions. By: Marie J. French | 03/31/2025 ALBANY, New York — Green groups are suing in state court to force Gov. Kathy Hochul’s administration to implement New York’s landmark climate law. Four environmental groups filed a lawsuit […]

Mar 27 2025

Upstate United Responds to Calls to Overhaul the Public Service Commission

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “Recent calls by members of the Legislature to overhaul the state’s Public Service Commission (PSC) are misplaced and misguided. Whether it’s the initiatives being implemented to achieve the aggressive goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA) or other […]

Mar 17 2025

CBS 6: Inflation and slow recovery impact upstate as businesses adapt to new economic realities

by Emma Quinn – Mon, March 17th 2025 at 6:00 PM CAPITAL REGION, NY (WRGB) — The start of COVID-19 brought many unknowns for everyone, especially business owners. “Every day we were learning something new or the state was coming out with a new directive and businesses were struggling to adapt,” said Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of […]