Unshackle Upstate Releases 2019 Advocacy Agenda
January 14th, 2019
BUFFALO, NY – Unshackle Upstate, a pro-taxpayer education and advocacy organization, has released its 2019 Advocacy Agenda. The in-depth document details the organization’s stance on more than 40 issues confronting taxpayers and employers across New York.
The organization’s key priorities for the 2019 legislative session include:
- Continued fiscal responsibility;
- Make the 2-percent property tax cap permanent;
- Reject prevailing wage expansion;
- Oppose a single-payer system; and
- Invest in workforce development.
“A new year presents new opportunities for our leaders in Albany to help struggling taxpayers and strengthen the Upstate economy,” said Michael Kracker, executive director of Unshackle Upstate. “Our 2019 agenda includes pro-growth reforms that will vastly improve our state’s business climate and allow Upstate to reach our full economic potential. We urge Governor Cuomo and all members of the Legislature to support these solutions and reject any measures that would raise taxes, hurt job growth and impose costly mandates.”
The release of Unshackle Upstate’s 2019 Advocacy Agenda comes at a critical time for Upstate New York. From 2010 through 2017, 42 Upstate counties experienced a decline in population.
Additionally, several studies and reports have shown that New York’s tax burden and business climate are among the worst in the nation.
Business leaders from across the state support this pro-growth agenda and encouraged legislators to take action during this year’s legislative session.
“Now more than ever, Upstate needs to speak with one loud and clear voice about the issues critical to our economic future,” said Dottie Gallagher, president and CEO, Buffalo Niagara Partnership. “Unshackle Upstate is the driving force that brings Upstate employers together to advocate for commonsense policies aimed at improving our business climate and creating the right conditions to spur job growth and private investment. Unshackle Upstate’s 2019 Advocacy Agenda is the road map Albany must follow to ensure that every corner of New York State grows and succeeds.”
Greater Rochester Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Bob Duffy said, “Rochester Chamber thanks Unshackle Upstate for its tireless advocacy work and Governor Cuomo for his unprecedented investments in upstate New York. The upstate economy is without a doubt much different from that of our downstate neighbors. The state legislature can recognize those differences by exploring regionalized legislation tailored to the unique circumstances of each. We look forward to working with Unshackle Upstate, our legislators, and Governor Cuomo to foster an environment for business success across New York in 2019 and beyond.”
“Since the Great Recession, employers and taxpayers across the Southern Tier have been hard at work to revitalize our communities. We cannot afford to have our leaders in Albany impose higher taxes and costly mandates,” said Jennifer Conway, President and CEO of the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce. “We need officials from all parties and all regions of the state to embrace Unshackle Upstate’s agenda so we can continue on the path of economic progress together.”
“Over the course of the last few years, the environment for business owners and taxpayers has been very poor. We continue to see businesses close and people flee our state,” said Brian Sampson, President of Associated Builders and Contractors, Empire State Chapter. “This 2019 Unshackle Upstate agenda, if embraced by our elected officials, can help stem the tide of out migration and bring middle class jobs back to New York. It’s time for Governor Cuomo and the Legislature to honestly address the real challenges we face and advance this agenda.”
“Unshackle Upstate has once again developed a serious and common sense agenda for the economy and taxpayers of upstate New York,” stated Garry Douglas, President of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. “We look forward to working with our colleagues across upstate to promote and advance this agenda with the Governor and legislative leaders in the coming weeks and months.”
Unshackle Upstate encourages taxpayers, employers, elected officials and policy makers to read its 2019 Advocacy Agenda and share their thoughts through the organization’s website or Facebook page.