The Rochester Business Alliance is a leader in Unshackle Upstate, a non-partisan coalition of more than 76 business and trade organizations representing upwards of more than 45,000 companies that employ more than 1 million people. The goal: make Upstate a more competitive place to do business so the economy can grow and retain private sector jobs.

The group has identified several issues for which it is seeking reform. They include: Taxes, Economic Development, Energy, Medicaid, Scaffold Law, Taylor Law, Wicks Law, and Workers' Compensation. Unshackle Upstate identified workers' compensation reform as its top priority in 2007.

Achievements include:

• Successful marketing and advocacy campaign including Unshackle Upstate rallies in Rochester, Buffalo, Syracuse, Binghamton and Albany. Over 165,000 Voter Voice emails sent to legislators by citizens in support of Unshackle Upstate positions.
• Comprehensive Workers' Compensation reform achieved in the Workers' Compensation Law signed by the Governor on March 13, 2007. Key provisions of the Workers' Compensation Improvement Act introduced by Senator James Alesi and Assemblyman Joseph Morelle on behalf of Unshackle Upstate in 2006 were included in this legislation. To read a summary of the final legislation, click here.
• Announced reduction in Workers' Compensation premiums by an average of 20 percent saving New York employers $1 billion annually starting Oct. 1, 2007.
• Progress on Wicks Law- proposed legislation from Governor increases exemption threshold from current level to provide greater fiscal relief to municipalities and taxpayers. Work continues to increase exemption threshold level for Upstate.
• Continued emphasis on Scaffold Law, actively engaging legislators and partnering with other statewide organizations such as the Business Council of New York in the call for reform. Unshackle Upstate participated in a press conference and lobbying day in Albany with other partners in June 2007 and continues to actively engage legislators on this issue.
• Lobby and rally at Albany.
  

"The Upstate economy needs this kind of meaningful legislative relief so that employers can get back to the business of growing and creating jobs," said Sandra A. Parker, president and CEO of the Rochester Business Alliance. "We thank Gov. Paterson for recognizing that, and we look forward to working with him and his administration on the other issues that are also important to the Unshackle Upstate coalition."

To learn how you and your organization can join the Rochester Business Alliance in seeking reform through the Unshackle Upstate coalition, and to learn more about the Unshackle Upstate agenda and how these issues impact you, log on to www.UnshackleUpstate.com.

Contact Albany

For information, contact:
Chris Wiest
Vice president of public policy and advocacy
(585) 256-4626

2007 Unshackle Upstate Rally Photo Gallery