Senator Young Receives “A” Grade From Unshackle Upstate

For Release: Immediate, August 20, 2014

          ALBANY - Senator Catharine Young (R,I,C-Olean) received a 93 percent score, one of the highest of any legislator in the state, for supporting job growth and economic revitalization initiatives that will make Upstate New York a stronger and more welcoming place to do business.

            According to Unshackle Upstate, a coalition of over 80 business and trade organizations representing 70,000 companies employing more than 1.5 million people, Senator Young is a friend of the Upstate economy and taxpayers.

            Senator Young’s score of 93 percent overall comes as part of Unshackle Upstate’s annual legislative scorecard to identify which State Senators and Assembly Members acted in the best interests of New York’s taxpayers and job creators during the 2014 legislative session.

            “Everyone deserves the opportunity to succeed in New York. Our young people need good-paying jobs and rewarding career opportunities so they don’t have to leave after they graduate. We want to keep them here so they can build a prosperous future for themselves and their families and be the next generation of successful New Yorkers,” said Senator Young.

            She said that working together with her Senate colleagues this year, they achieved major successes on behalf of families, seniors, and young people, many of whom face challenges every day to balance their household budgets and pursue a secure future.

            “From new property tax rebates and record funding for the STAR property tax relief program, to lower energy taxes and reduced business taxes, this year’s accomplishments are helping ensure New York’s taxpayers can afford to live, work, and retire right here in Upstate New York, and our small businesses and manufacturers are able to grow and thrive,” she said.

            “When New York City controlled both houses of the legislature and the Governor’s office in 2009-10, the result was devastating for Upstate New York. Since then, we have worked diligently to roll back their out of control taxes and spending, restore balance, enact pro-job growth initiatives, and bring back a sense of optimism about our future,” said Senator Young.

            “We can’t go back to those days of $14 billion tax hikes and 124 tax and fee increases. We have come too far and need to continue moving forward and providing a brighter future for our young people,” she said.

            The Unshackle Upstate scorecard recognized Senator Young for voting to support New York State taxpayers’ priorities in her votes on legislation, the state budget, and sponsorship of bills that benefit taxpayers.

            The bills Senator Young sponsored include a tax credit for setting up broadband Internet access in rural areas, reforms to Unemployment Insurance that unjustly harm business owners, common sense changes to the burdensome Wage Theft Prevention Act, and changes to the damaging Scaffold Law that unfairly drives up costs for businesses.

            Senator Young was also applauded for opposing anti-taxpayer legislation that would slow or repress the growth of the Upstate economy.

            Senator Young’s scorecard is available at: www.unshackleupstate.com/legislative-activity/scorecards/catharine-young.

            “I am greatly appreciative to Unshackle Upstate for providing voters with the clear and accessible information about their representatives they deserve. I also thank Executive Director Brian Sampson and everyone at Unshackle Upstate for their tireless work in advocating for the interests of Upstate taxpayers every day. I am honored to receive an ‘A’ rating from them,” said Senator Young. 

###