Buffalo-Niagara Partnership Hosted Western New York Delegation in Support of Business Tax Relief Plan

The Buffalo Niagara Partnership today joined members of the Western New York Delegation to express support for Governor Andrew Cuomo’s plan for tax relief for businesses as detailed in last week’s State of the State address and the Tax Relief Commission’s recommendations.

"The Partnership has long advocated for addressing New York State’s high tax burden, and Gov. Cuomo’s focus on reducing our tax burden should be commended,” said Dottie Gallagher-Cohen, President & CEO of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership. “We are especially pleased with the Governor’s plan for a reduction of corporate tax rate for manufacturing to zero and the phase out of the 18A energy assessment, which has been a longstanding priority for Buffalo Niagara’s business community.”

One of the focuses of the Governor’s tax relief plan is Upstate manufacturers, a target industry of the Buffalo Niagara Partnership and a key part of its economic development efforts.

“The Partnership’s mission is to improve the business climate in Buffalo Niagara, and Governor Cuomo’s proposed tax relief initiatives we are endorsing today are a great first step in alleviating the crushing tax burden that has made NYS such a difficult place to run a business,” said Lou Panzica, President & CEO of Power Drives, Inc. and a member of the Partnership’s Executive Committee and Manufacturers Council. “As a manufacturer, the elimination of the 18A assessment and the reduction of the corporate income tax on Upstate manufacturers are especially welcome and will save Power Drives thousands of dollars a year, money we can use to invest in our company to grow and create jobs.”

The tax relief proposals will be included in the Governor’s Executive Budget released in late January, and the Partnership was pleased to be joined by members of the Legislature who support the tax relief plan.

“The Western New York Delegation has always understood the needs of Upstate employers and tax payers, and I’m pleased they are standing with the Buffalo Niagara business community as we support this strong first step towards addressing New York’s taxes,” continued Gallagher-Cohen. “The Partnership will continue to urge Governor Cuomo and the Legislature for permanent, broad-based solutions and mandate relief to reduce the tax burden for NYS employers and taxpayers.”

Joining the Buffalo Niagara Partnership were New York State Senator Mark Grisanti and New York State Assemblymembers Robin Schimminger, Jane Corwin, Mickey Kearns and Sean Ryan.

“Since I have been elected to office my number one goal is continuing to lower taxes and provide tax relief to everyone in Western New York,” said Senator Mark Grisanti. “I will be supporting measures that will help make living in New York more affordable by making the property tax cap and middle-class tax cuts that we approved permanent. We also need to do more to create jobs and new opportunities in New York State. It is no secret that businesses locate and grow where they have the best opportunity to succeed. We need to stop overtaxing and over regulating them and start working with them to create jobs and opportunity.”