Press Releases

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “Tariffs are not only a tax on everyday New Yorkers, but they are also being imposed in a chaotic and costly manner. We have long been critics of volatile and unpredictable policy environments and the costs that can arise from poorly thought-out policies.  […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “As an organization that has long advocated for taxpayers, economic growth, and businesses and trade organizations from across Upstate New York, it is critical to speak out against actions that will lead to the opposite of our mission.  “Implementing these double-digit tariffs […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “Imposing double-digit tariffs on our state’s largest trading partner is incredibly misguided and will undoubtedly impact the prices of necessary goods purchased by New York residents. From everyday grocery items to those needed for large-scale projects or construction, New Yorkers should […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United “As of today, twenty-two states have filed lawsuits against New York’s ill-advised Climate Change Superfund Act (The Act). We have said all along that The Act is arbitrary in who it targets and won’t hold the world’s largest producers, like China, […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United “Despite affordability being a top concern of everyday New Yorkers, we should all prepare to pay more as a result of tariffs on goods and services that we consume daily. “Make no mistake, these tariffs on our most important trading partner, […]

Upstate United 2025 Advocacy Agenda Today, Upstate United, a non-partisan organization representing businesses and trade organizations, released its 2025 Advocacy Agenda. “This year’s agenda focuses on several pro-taxpayer and pro-economic growth policies, with one overarching theme that connects them all in one way or another: Affordability. Simply put, we cannot be a strong and competitive […]