Upstate United: New York Ranks Worst in State Tax Competitiveness Index

November 19th, 2024

The following statement can be attributed to Justin Wilcox, Executive Director of Upstate United

“While New York State is leading the country in population loss and is projected to lose as many as 2 million residents in the next twenty-five years, the Tax Foundation has also recently ranked New York dead last in its 2025 State Tax Competitive Index. On their own, each of these factors is disconcerting and worrisome. When combined, they are beyond alarming.  New York cannot be competitive if we continue to drive up costs and drive out residents.

“Rather than addressing a 600,000-person population decline since April 2020 or adjusting high rates and burdensome tax structures, policymakers continue to champion costly measures that make New York less affordable and, ultimately, less competitive. If leaders want to improve our competitiveness and ability to attract jobs and people, they must prioritize affordability and enact broad base tax relief to advance the economic success of our state.”