Press Releases

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 […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United “From healthcare to home heating costs, it’s vital that Governor Hochul, the New York State Budget Director Blake Washington, and their team acknowledge the financial challenges that New Yorkers face every day. While we greatly appreciate many of the investments outlined […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United “Today, as Governor Hochul delivered her fourth State of the State address, she highlighted some new and relatable initiatives while many sounded all too familiar. “It’s important for New Yorkers to feel heard in their calls for driving costs down at […]

Asks the Governor and Legislature: What Increase in Gasoline Prices Are You OK With? Today, Upstate United released a fact sheet highlighting the increased gasoline costs associated with Cap-and-Invest. Troubling Trends – Cap-and-Invest Means Higher Prices at the Pump demonstrates the increases in energy costs under the state’s current proposal. “The numbers shared in our […]

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, executive director of Upstate United “Governor Hochul’s decision to sign the Climate Change Superfund Act law is a misguidedmove that does a disservice to all New Yorkers, who already pay enough to fund the short-sighted measures linked to the CLCPA. This legislation, while aimed to address […]