Statement attributed to Brian Sampson Executive Director of Unshackle Upstate
Unshackle Upstate is pleased to see Gov. Cuomo’s State of the State address reflect many of the issues that we have long pushed for in our agendas – particularly his call for fiscal discipline, the need to balance the state budget without new taxes or gimmicks, and his advocacy for pension reform and essential mandate relief.
The governor’s call for investments in tourism and infrastructure development and maintenance through the New York Works Fund and Task Force, as well as increasing the expediency of projects, are all positives for New York.
In addition we have long supported the creation of a Tier VI within the state pension system. Further, a second round of investments for the Regional Economic Development Councils is also a positive.
We are optimistic that Gov. Cuomo and legislative leaders will embrace mandate relief in 2012, the necessary next step in ensuring continued success of the 2 percent tax cap adopted last year.