From the Desk of New York State Senator Ted OBrien

District 55
MEDIA RELEASE APRIL 15, 2014:

SENATOR O'BRIEN, LOCAL BUSINESS LEADERS HOLD "MAKING UPSTATE NY AFFORDABLE FOR BUSINESSES" EVENT
ROCHESTER, N.Y. Earlier this month, Senator Ted O'Brien helped pass New York's fourth-consecutive balanced, on-time budget and enact important new policies to lower cost of doing business in upstate New York. Today, Senator O'Brien joined local business leaders to discuss how the budget will affect the Rochester and Finger Lakes region and what we can do to make our area even more ripe for job creation and economic development. "During budget negotiations, we made it clear that the final product had to address the needs of Upstate communities," Senator O'Brien said. "Thanks to the advocacy of the people standing with me today and countless others across our region, the budget we passed answers our call in some important ways. This budget brings billions of dollars in tax relief to homeowners and small businesses, creates powerful incentives to bring manufacturing jobs back to our area, encourages investment in our emerging tech and tourism industries, and renews our focus on developing a workforce equipped to compete in an innovation economy. There is much more work to be done, but I'm proud of the progress we've made toward creating a new era of economic growth and job creation in Upstate New York." Representatives of the Rochester and Finger Lakes business community joined Senator O'Brien to discuss how the 2014-15 budget will impact upstate New York's economy. Sandy Parker, President and CEO of Rochester Business Alliance: "Rochester Business Alliance thanks Senator O'Brien and the local legislative delegation for their leadership in bringing home a fourth on-time budget in a row. This spending plan takes a step to improve the business climate in New York through tax reform including a reduction in the corporate income tax, property tax credits and the elimination of the net income tax for qualified manufacturers, and changes in the estate tax. RBA is also pleased that the budget supports several Rochester Community Coalition agenda items and provides another round of funding for the Regional Economic Development Councils. Through the remainder of the legislative session, we also hope to see movement in reforming the Scaffold Law and the Wage Theft Prevention Act's annual notification requirement to put New York in an even more competitive position to attract and retain employers." Brian Sampson, Executive Director of Unshackle Upstate: "It's no secret that Upstate's economy continues to undergo significant change and transition as it tries to emerge from decades of decline. In September, Unshackle Upstate released its 2014 policy agenda, a New Era For Upstate, that put forward a plan that included broad-based tax relief and strategic initiatives to boost specific sectors vital to Upstate's future. Senator O'Brien stood with us from day one as we pitched this plan across the state. Today I am proud to join with him as we celebrate several of our top priorities being enacted into law during the recent budget process. Accelerating the phase-out of the 18A energy surcharge, reforming New York's punitive Estate Tax, providing a property tax credit for New York's manufacturing firms and eliminating their income tax completely while lowering it for all other corporations are all important steps to bring jobs and investment back to our Upstate communities."

From the Desk of New York State Senator Ted OBrien

District 55
Dan Fuller, President and General Manager of Bristol Mountain: It is critical to our business and the eastern snowsports industry in the east to have a very effective snowmaking system which requires electricity as its major energy source. As a result, energy is our largest direct expense and our second overall, behind salary and wages. The phasing out of the 18-a energy taxthat was implemented in 2009will not only reduce the cost of doing business for Bristol Mountain, but also for all businesses that use large amounts of electricity. Senator O'Brien was also joined by: Mitch Donovan, President of the Victor Chamber of Commerce Steve Fuller, Sales and Marketing Manager of Bristol Mountain Ski Resort -30Sen. OBrien represents the 55th district in the Senate, which is made up of the eastern half of Monroe County and the western half of Ontario County, including much of the city of Rochester. Media contact: Jamie Romeo Chief of Staff to Senator OBrien office: (585) 218-0034 e-mail: romeo@nysenate.gov