The Buffalo Niagara Partnership and the Unshackle Upstate coalition will host a special forum designed to give New York lawmakers an up-close look at the region's ongoing economic challenges through the personal stories of their members.
On October 1st from 3 to 5PM at the Buffalo and Erie County Public Library, this forum will present a critical opportunity for the region's business leaders to directly address Senator George Maziarz and Assemblyman Dennis Gabryszak (or submit written testimony), describing how the state's business climate, including tax, assessment and fee structures, is hurting the ability to stay in business in Buffalo Niagara. Scheduled participants are as follows:
- · Jack Bertsch, Owner
and President, Polymer Conversions
- ·
Deanna
Alterio Brennen, President & CEO, Niagara USA Chamber
- ·
Rich
Couch, Director of Advocacy, The Crisis Program
- ·
Assemblyman
Dennis H. Gabryszak
- ·
John
Leonardi, CEO, Buffalo Niagara Association of Realtors
- ·
Senator
George D. Maziarz
- ·
Rudi
Rainer, General Manager, Adam's Mark Buffalo
- ·
Roberta
Rifkin, Director, Government Affairs, Independent Health
- ·
Andrew
Rudnick, Chairman & CEO, Buffalo Niagara Partnership
- ·
Jim
Sabio, President, Dual Printing
- ·
Brian
Sampson, Executive Director, Unshackle Upstate
Richard Shine, CEO, Manitoba
Corp.
- ·
Renee
Terreri, Cameron Compression Systems
Organizers
of the event say that this past year has been especially troublesome for the
taxpayers of New York, who have had to shoulder massive tax, fee and assessment
increases, witness a record increase in the amount of state spending, and watch
a frustrating legislative and budgetary process. The failing state economy
has made it even worse.
As all 212
legislative seats are up for grabs in the 2010 election, along with the offices
of the governor, attorney general and comptroller, the public must use every
opportunity they can to inlist elected officials to lower taxes and improve New York's business environment.
All are
welcome to attend.
Thursday, October 1, 3PM - 5PM
Buffalo & Erie County Cenrtral Public
Library
716.858.8900




Hmm I wonder what it would be like if NYC was it's own seperate state from the rest of NY? Wow that would be really nice for the rest of the cities left out in the cold in NY due to bigger interests in NYC...
The folks from downstate do complain how most of the money they pay in taxes does return to expenses near them, but to support "Upstate."
I would like to see if there is any data of a relation to their tax money going out and the power and water we provide them.
Even with this conference, I doubt the majority of lawmakers in Albany will take Upstate seriously until we're all bussed in together and protesting.
This conference will help us get some things off our chest, but I'd hold my breath before thinking something will actually be done about our complaints.
I'm sorry correction, "doesn't return to expenses near them..."