ENP STAFF REPORTS
news@eastniagarapost.com

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ALBANY — Unshackle Upstate, a non-partisan taxpayer advocacy group said the 2015-2016 New York State Budget approved Tuesday has "several positive measures."

Greg Biryla, Unshackle Upstate executive director, issued a statement about the spending plan, which came with several policy amendments as riders. Biryla's statement follows in its entirety.

The 2015-16 state budget contains several positive measures for our Upstate communities. First and foremost, we’re pleased to see that Governor Cuomo and legislative leaders have continued to control state spending. This is an encouraging trend that helps hold the line on taxes and we hope it will continue for years to come.

We’re grateful that a number of key issues from Unshackle Upstate’s 2015 agenda – including $1.5 billion in funding for the Upstate Revitalization Initiative, renewal of the Brownfield Cleanup Program, design-build extension and infrastructure investment – have been included in the final budget. Our organization and our partners fought hard for these issues and we thank our leaders in Albany for responding to our calls for action.

As always, significant work remains through the balance of the legislative session if Upstate New York is to truly become a place where existing employers can grow, new ones want to locate and families can build their future. It’s imperative that leaders in Albany seize this momentum by advancing legislation that will reduce taxes, create jobs and strengthen the state’s economy.

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