Tell Our Elected Officials to Act Now

The legislative session is nearing conclusion in Albany, giving Unshackle Upstate one last chance to stop union-backed "prevailing wage" and "living wage" requirements to the Industrial Development Agency (IDA) reform bill. These labor-friendly wage requirements will drive up our state's already high cost of doing business - and cost our communities jobs!

As a supporter of Unshackle Upstate, the Rochester Business Alliance needs you to log on TODAY to www.UnshackleUpstate.com and send our legislators this message.

1. Do not approve the entire IDA package, because the prevailing and living wage provisions will be cost-prohibitive to employers and further stunt job growth across the state.
2. Approve a one-year extension of the provisions that allow nonprofit groups to use low-cost, tax exempt borrowing. Without this extension, more than $2 billion in construction projects across the state, including work on hospitals, nursing homes, group homes for the mentally ill, college dormitories and low-cost housing, cannot commence. During that time, the new Empire State Development Corporation chair and CEO should convene IDA stakeholders to try to reach agreement on a real IDA reform bill that maintains the integrity of this critical business development program.

The citizens of Upstate New York are counting on you to take the actions needed to improve the business climate in Upstate.