Unshackle Upstate releases 2012 Legislative Scorecard, Senator O'Mara receives high grade

Albany, N.Y.,August 30—State Senator Tom O’Mara (R-C, Big Flats) has received one of the Senate’s highest grades, 93%, from Unshackle Upstate on the group’s 2012 Legislative Scorecard.

Unshackle Upstate is a pro-jobs, pro-taxpayer advocacy organization comprised of business and trade organizations representing every Upstate region. 

The guide ranks the voting record of every state legislator on pieces of legislation the Legislature considered in 2012 that reflect the organization’s commitment to fiscal responsibility, pro-taxpayer initiatives and private-sector economic growth.

"It’s very important for taxpayers to have a comprehensive guide that shows which legislators have truly dedicated themselves to unlocking New York’s economic potential,” said Brian Sampson, executive director of Unshackle Upstate. “We’re encouraged to see that many legislators have responded to their constituents by supporting two consecutive fiscally responsible state budgets and several pro-taxpayer initiatives...But we still have so much more to do to strengthen New York’s economy.  These scorecards provide a clear picture of which Senators and Assembly members are working to promote job growth and strengthen our economy. Our hope is that hard-working taxpayers and employers will see their legislators’ grades and start a discussion with their network of friends, family and colleagues.”

One of Unshackle Upstate’s leading members, the Manufacturers Association of Central New York (MACNY), stressed the importance of initiatives aimed at upstate manufacturers.

“MACNY has long maintained that the way Albany treats the state’s manufacturing community will impact the state’s ability to economically prosper,” said MACNY President Randy Wolken. “I applaud those legislative representatives that continue to fight for our state's manufacturing needs, and look forward to working with Albany to enact legislation that will foster a strong business climate and lead our state into a future of economic vitality.”

The 2012 Legislative Scorecard is currently posted on the Unshackle Upstate website, www.unshackleupstate.com. 

O’Mara has sponsored and strongly supported Senate initiatives over the past two years, especially this year’s New Jobs-NY plan, aimed at turning around the upstate economy through lower taxes, reduced state spending and other fiscal reforms, and a renewed commitment to the manufacturing sector.

O’Mara said, “I appreciate Unshackle Upstate’s strong advocacy on behalf of so many of the goals we share for the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions, and all of upstate New York. Most importantly, we look forward to getting back to work in 2013 to keeping building on the efforts of the past two years to turn around the upstate economy, strengthen manufacturing and revitalize our communities.”