Business Council President Kenneth Adams said: "All New Yorkers interested in a more prosperous Empire State should welcome the Senate's unwavering support for this broad effort to reinvigorate New York's economy, especially Upstate. The ideas advanced by Senator Bruno and the majority conference include broad business-tax reductions, steps to reduce employers' costs of energy and health insurance, and proposals strategic high-tech investments can help renew New York's economy. The Upstate Now package is clearly a great addition to the policy debate in Albany. We hope the Assembly can support these proposals, and we look forward to the policy ideas it will add to this discussion."
Darlene Kerr, President of the Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce said: "The Greater Syracuse Chamber of Commerce has been a supporter of the Upstate Now plan because we see it as a set of initiatives focusing on what we need to ignite the potential of the Upstate economy. In particular initiatives like, property tax relief for small businesses; enhancing the commercialization of our college and university research; supporting new and emerging technologies; affordable health insurance for small businesses and capitalization on our tourism assets…all of these have the potential to translate into real jobs and real economic expansion. We welcome the continued attention of the Senate to these issues and look forward to agreement and consensus on the part of the entire Legislature and the Governor regarding their importance to our Upstate economy."
Andrew J. Rudnick, President & CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership said: "The Senate's Upstate NOW proposal entails a number of the priorities in the 2008 agenda of Unshackle Upstate which represents 66 business organizations across Upstate New York. Accordingly, the proposal warrants serious consideration. Working together and with the Assembly and the Governor, the Senate and Unshackle Upstate's members can begin to achieve real economic benefit for our part of the state."
John Richardson, Director of Public Affairs for Eastman Kodak Company, said: "Many of the State’s challenges can be traced to an uncompetitive business environment. Incentives to drive increased investment in Upstate New York are critical. The Upstate Now package is significant as it is a broad-based business incentive package. Further, it emphasizes new investment utilizing previously earned investment tax credits. This package will drive investment and jobs for the Upstate area."
James R. Sherin, President and CEO of the Retail Council of New York State, said: "The Senate’s aggressive and forward-looking package addresses the urgent needs of every sector of the upstate economy. A better tax environment for businesses and for homeowners means better conditions for retailers small and large, with new stores opening on Main Street and more job opportunities across the board."
Mike Elmendorf, State Director of the National Federation of Independent Business, New York's leading small business advocacy organization, said: "I commend the Senate and Majority Leader Bruno for their leadership in not only recognizing that the core problem stifling small business is the high cost of doing business in our state, but for taking action to correct it. Upstate Now takes direct aim at that issue by, among other things, cutting taxes and taking steps to reduce healthier and energy costs on small business. Allowing small businesses to keep and reinvest more of what they work so hard to earn is the best economic development and job creation policy."
Lyn Taylor, President of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber of Commerce, said: "We applaud the New York State Senate for formulating a plan focusing on the most important concerns of all small businesses: taxes, health care and energy costs. Reducing the cost of doing business in upstate, while investing in innovation, will greatly improve the business climate and help us to attain our goal of becoming an international powerhouse in new and emerging technologies."
New York Farm Bureau President John Lincoln said: "The Senate’s continued commitment to Upstate economic development will greatly benefit our family farmers who are the backbone of the rural economy. New York Farm Bureau truly believes the key to revitalizing the Upstate economy is through agriculture, its largest industry. We greatly