Senator Young said, “I am proud to have partnered with the Farm Bureau to boost agriculture and our economy.  It was a challenging budget year, but we fought hard to protect a number of agriculture research programs and investments that are vitally important to the future of this industry,” said Senator Young.

“We passed legislation that provides more affordable energy to farms and food processors and reduced the regulatory burdens placed on farming operations.  I also sponsored and passed legislation to strengthen the wine industry, especially farm wineries. I am honored to be acknowledged for my role in the Legislature as supporting  many of the Farm Bureau’s key legislative initiatives,” she added.

 With the strong and active support of Senator Young, the State Legislature was able to restore critical funding to several important agricultural programs, including the Integrated Pest Management Program, the Wine and Grape Foundation, the Farm Viability Institute, the Farm Family Assistance Program, the Pro-Dairy Program, the Apple Growers Association, and Future Farmers of America. 

Senator Young  also supported important legislation to boost the wine industry by streamlining regulatory requirements on farm wineries in the state that will help them continue to grow as a key tourism, agricultural, and economic engine for the state.
New York Farm Bureau is a non-partisan organization and does not endorse elected officials or political candidates.

Senator Young was recognized for working to adopt several jobs and economic growth
measures and reforms that were signed into law.

“With Governor Cuomo’s leadership, and a responsive legislature, we saw real fiscal
reform, spending restraint, and progress on economic development initiatives,” said Heather Briccetti, acting-president and CEO of The Business Council.

Senators and Assembly members were rated for their stance on 11 two-house bills
considered by The Business Council to have a significant impact, either positive or negative, on New York’s economic climate, according to Ms. Briccetti.

Senator Young said, “There is no more urgent need than jobs and a vibrant economy. The steps we took this year are helping to turn our state around by improving our
competitiveness, getting people back to work, and having career opportunities so our young people don’t have to leave after they graduate. It’s a terrific start, and I will continue to push for other reforms.”

Some of the pro-job growth initiatives that were rated include the new property tax cap
that limits property tax cap increases to two percent or less; a reduction of Medicaid spending by $2.8 billion and a cap on future Medicaid expenditures; Recharge NY, a permanent program to reduce energy costs and taxes on small businesses and manufacturers; and enhancements to the Excelsior Jobs Program to expand tax credits for the creation of new private sector jobs.

“We look forward to working with representatives on both sides of the aisle to help create
and retain jobs in the Empire State,” said Ms. Briccetti.

She said the Business Council’s priorities for 2012 will include implementing more
mandate relief, and reducing tax and regulatory costs on small businesses and manufacturers.

The Business Council is the leading business organization in the state, representing
large and small firms. Its membership is made up of thousands of companies, as well as local
chambers of commerce and professional and trade associations.

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