Unshackle Upstate Releases 2017 Legislative Agenda

January 25th, 2017

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 economy moving in the right direction,” said Greg Biryla, executive director of Unshackle Upstate. “As recent data from the state’s Department of Labor and U.S. Census Bureau have shown, people are fleeing the state while employers struggle to create jobs. This is especially true across Upstate communities. This crisis will continue until our leaders in Albany create a climate conducive to economic growth by lowering taxes, reducing regulatory red tape and tackling burdensome mandates.”

Specifically, the organization’s 2017 Legislative Agenda proposes the following measures:

– Continued Budgetary Discipline – Enactment of 2-Percent State Spending Cap – Workers’ Compensation Reforms – Rejection of Expanded Construction Mandates – Support Additional Energy Infrastructure – Permit Ride-hailing Operations in Upstate

Citing last year’s agreement on minimum wage and paid family leave, Biryla stated the importance of advancing meaningful reforms that will help employers create jobs and expand their businesses.

“Employers are still reeling from the outcomes of last year’s legislative session. Any proposal that raises taxes, imposes costly mandates or adds to the burden of struggling businesses must be soundly rejected,” said Biryla. “Revitalizing the Upstate economy must be the top priority for our leaders in Albany. We’re ready to work with Governor Cuomo and the Legislature to achieve this critical goal.”

Unshackle Upstate encourages elected officials, policy makers, employers and taxpayers to read its 2017 Legislative Agenda and share their thoughts through the organization’s website or Facebook page.

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Download Unshackle Upstate’s 2017 policy agenda here: https://upstateunited.com/assets/policy_agenda/uu_2017_agenda.pdf