Unshackle Upstate Urges State Senate to End Impasse and Enact Important Legislation

ALBANY, NY (07/02/2009)(readMedia)--

Unshackle Upstate Urges State Senate to End Impasse and Enact Important Legislation

ALBANY, NY - The Unshackle Upstate coalition called on state senators to end their partisan politics and immediately pass non-controversial legislation, including Power for Jobs and tax extenders for municipalities.

Power for Jobs provides low-cost power to companies who create or retain jobs in New York. Inaction will mean skyrocketing energy costs for many state employers. Tax extender bills, which are passed annually by the Legislature, allow municipalities across the state to levy taxes, primarily sales taxes. Without legislative authorization, municipalities will have to generate income elsewhere, most likely with a property tax hike.

"Our coalition is less concerned with who ultimately holds the power," said Brian Sampson, executive director of Unshackle Upstate, which represents more than 45,000 businesses with 1.5 million employees. "We are, however, very concerned that New York's businesses and their employees are not further harmed by the Senate's inaction. New York needs all 62 members of the Senate working together.''

The power struggle, now in its 26th day, has also distracted the Senate from focusing on specific reform legislation, including Tier V pension reform, which would save taxpayers nearly $50 billion over the next 30 years, and property tax reform, which would mandate a cap to the growth of municipal and school property taxes and reduce state mandates on schools.

All bills before the Senate remain in limbo as senators demonstrate their continued disregard and disrespect to the citizens of New York. This impasse follows several months of heightened legislative irresponsibility, where the Legislature passed the deficit reduction plan and the state budget, which raised taxes and fees by $8 billion.

"This the latest - and perhaps most egregious - example of how out of touch our elected officials are with the majority of New Yorkers," Sampson said. "We are out of patience. We will be reminding voters of these politically motivated acts when it's time for re-election."

Unshackle Upstate, which promotes a reform agenda that supports state taxpayers and employers, has vowed to track the behavior and voting records of both Senators and Assembly members, aggressively endorsing candidates who support reform and fiscal responsibility, and opposing those who do not.

For more information, or to send a message to your elected state representative, visit www.unshackleupstate.com.

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