Senator Catharine Young Receives High Ratings from Business Groups

ALBANY – State Senator Catharine Young (R,C,I – Olean) has received high ratings from two business groups for her record to improve the economic climate and support taxpayers in New York State.

Senator Young received a 90 percent rating from The Business Council, the highest awarded in the State Senate. She also was near the top, receiving 88 percent, from Unshackle Upstate.

“In this challenging economy, we need to foster an environment where businesses want to invest in our State, where jobs are being created, and where people want to move in – not away,” said Senator Young.

“By working with Governor Cuomo, we were able to demonstrate how government can effectively work to encourage job creation and remove obstacles that stand in the way of economic growth and prosperity,” she added.

Both The Business Council and Unshackle Upstate measured state legislators based on their voting records on a variety of bills and the budget. Points were awarded for votes on bills that would help businesses and taxpayers. Unshackle Upstate also awarded points for sponsorship of positive bills and subtracted points for sponsorship of harmful bills. Senator Young sponsored multiple bills to grow jobs and help taxpayers, and she did not sponsor any bills deemed harmful by either group.

These ratings show positive trends in improving the economic climate in New York along with the recognition that legislators need to continue to take actions that promote job growth and provide tax relief, according to both groups.

“The pro-business momentum we saw in the 2010, 2011 and 2012 legislative sessions needs to continue in order for New York to regain its economic strength,” said Heather Briccetti, president and CEO of The Business Council.

“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 such as the 2-percent property tax cap and pension reform,” said Brian Sampson, executive director of Unshackle Upstate.

“We have made great progress in developing a business-friendly climate in New York State over the past two years. More work is still needed, and I will continue to focus on business growth, job creation, tax relief and fiscal responsibility,” said Senator Young.

The Business Council of New York State, Inc., is the largest advocacy group for business in New York State, supported by more than 3,000 members that employ approximately 1 million people.

Unshackle Upstate is a non-partisan, pro-taxpayer, pro-economic growth, education and advocacy coalition made up of business and trade organizations from all parts of Upstate New York.

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