Albany, NY – Senate Republicans defeated anti-economic development legislation (S1635) last night, sponsored by Senator Antoine Thompson of Buffalo, that would shut down virtually all economic development activity in New York, increase the number of frivolous lawsuits and even put up an obstacle to sound environmental projects throughout the State.
“I am pleased to have led the opposition to this bill as it would have put up additional barriers to economic development and job creation in Buffalo and Western New York. If Democrats would have been successful in passing this legislation, they should just put up signs that say ‘New York is Closed for Business.’ This is further evidence that Democrats don’t understand what needs to be done to help Upstate taxpayers and their families,” Senator Michael Ranzenhofer (R,C,I-Amherst).
The bill was opposed by the State’s leading business groups, including NFIB, the Long Island Builders Association, the New York State Association of Realtors, the New York State Builders Association and Unshackle Upstate.
Unshackle Upstate, a pro-business, pro-taxpayer coalition which represents 70,000 employers with more than 1.5 million workers in Upstate New York. The group said the legislation would be detrimental to efforts to rebuild and revitalize Upstate.
Under the legislation, any individual would be given the ability to sue to stop an environmental project they believe poses public harm, regardless of whether they would otherwise have standing to sue.
“In last year’s disastrous State budget, Democrats hit businesses with $3.6 billion in tax hikes, and this legislation shows their agenda continues to be hostile to businesses throughout this State,” Senate Republican Leader Dean G. Skelos said.
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