Unshackle Upstate Releases 2012 Policy Agenda

Jan 16th, 2012 | By HV Insider | Category: Featured Articles

Pro-taxpayer coalition seeks to unlock New York’s economic potential.

Unshackle Upstate unveiled its 2012 policy agenda titled “Unlock NY.” The agenda, which can be downloaded here, aims to build on the successes of 2011 – including the passage of a responsible 2011-12 state budget and the 2-percent property tax cap – to improve Upstate New York’s economy.

“While progress has been made to strengthen our economy and communities, our leaders in Albany must do more to help New York regain its title as the Empire State,” said Brian Sampson, Executive Director of the organization. “In 2012, we will closely monitor the actions of every legislator on the key issues outlined in this agenda. Make no mistake – those who fail to support measures that will help businesses and families thrive will be held accountable. We will ensure that promises made are promises kept.”

The organization’s 2012 policy agenda focuses on several keys including:

•     Reducing state and local spending;
•     Reducing state borrowing and debt;
•     Reducing taxes, fees and assessments;
•     Reducing mandates; and
•     Enacting realistic economic development efforts.

Advocating for meaningful mandate relief for local governments and school districts, as well as the business community, will be Unshackle Upstate’s top priority during the legislative session. As a participating member of the Let New York Work initiative, Unshackle Upstate is seeking to advance measures that will protect the integrity of the 2-percent property tax cap.

“The state’s real property tax cap is forcing local governments and school district to live within taxpayers’ means. And while the tax cap has been widely effective, the governor and the Legislature must enact real mandate relief in order to make our communities truly stable and affordable,” said Sampson. “Doing so will greatly benefit taxpayers by attracting businesses, promoting private sector job growth and growing the tax base.”

Leaders from the organization’s regional partners, which cover the entire Upstate region, signaled their support for the fiscally responsible agenda.

“2011 was a highly successful year for the Partnership and our partners in Unshackle Upstate. This agenda will enable us to build on the momentum of the past year and make 2012 a transformative year for Upstate businesses and taxpayers,” said Andrew J. Rudnick, president and CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and a co-founder of Unshackle Upstate. “Our unified and focused coalition now calls on Albany for a realistic approach to government and economic development that reduces the cost of doing business in New York State.”

“The 2012 Unshackle Upstate agenda clearly outlines the keys required to Unlock NY, it economy, its potential, the creativity of its workers and job creators to build strong companies,” said Sandy Parker, president and CEO of the Rochester Business Alliance, and the co-founder of Unshackle Upstate. “This agenda builds on Unshackle’s 2011 successes, and reinforces the coalition’s original call to action, our unwavering belief that the best way to help business now is to fix the regulatory environment so business can do what it does best, create jobs and fuel the economy.”

“2011 was an historic year in New York, from a state budget that actually reduced spending to a landmark property tax cap, and Unshackle Upstate was a leading voice for change and reform,” states Garry Douglas, president of the North Country Chamber of Commerce. “But as much as was accomplished in 2011, it will take another solid year of change and reform to really put New York on a sustainable path to private sector success and job creation. This agenda will get us there.”

“Once again, Unshackle Upstate holds true to its promise to outline the problems and create real solutions to right-size New York. Each and every legislator should have a copy of Unshackle’s agenda on their desk. It is the only tool needed to advance another fiscally responsible budget, implement real mandate reform and to create a New York where businesses can prosper,” said Lou Santoni, president and CEO of the Greater Binghamton Chamber of Commerce.

“Both MACNY and Unshackle Upstate are ready and prepared to begin what is clearly going to take hard work and perseverance in order for us to see effective and meaningful pro-business legislation passed in the 2012 session,” stated MACNY President Randy Wolken. “On behalf of the statewide manufacturing community, I look forward to continuing to build on the good work and progress achieved during 2011. MACNY looks forward to working with Unshackle Upstate, our state’s business community, and Albany so we can implement pro-growth, pro-business policies including mandate relief, tax relief and reduction in government spending.”

“Our governor and State Legislature took bold initial steps in 2011 to begin to reverse the economic downturn plaguing New York since the 2008 recession.

Difficult but necessary decisions were made across party lines to ultimately benefit each and every citizen of New York State. Unshackle Upstate calls on the governor and the State Legislature to continue this march toward economic recovery by enacting the meaningful mandate relief provisions contained in this agenda. Real, sustainable economic recovery can only be achieved through lower taxes and the creation of an environment here in New York that is truly ‘open for business.’ Municipalities need the ability to better control their costs to live within their new reality under the tax cap. And businesses need to better control, and predict, their costs to create and maintain good paying jobs for the citizens of New York State. The Unshackle agenda, if enacted, will ensure that New York continues the economic recovery march it began in 2011,” said Rebecca A. Meinking, executive vice president of Radec Corporation and a representative of the Empire State Chapter of Associated Builders and Contractors.

In addition to promoting the agenda as a resource for elected officials, Sampson stated that the agenda will help lay the groundwork for the organization’s legislative scorecards – an important tool for educating and empowering voters prior to the 2012 elections.

Noting the emphasis on job creation from the governor and other elected leaders during this year’s State of the State address, Sampson stressed the importance of a firm, long-term approach toward reaching that goal.

“With the strong support of Gov. Cuomo, our legislative leaders and other pro-taxpayer organizations, we made significant strides toward improving the quality of life for taxpayers and employers. However, restoring the economy – especially in Upstate New York – is a steep, uphill battle that requires bold ideas and a strong commitment. This agenda provides the keys to unlocking the state’s true economic potential.”

Download Unshackle Upstate’s 2012 policy agenda here.