Approved March 9, 2021 

RESOLUTION OF THE GREATER UTICA CHAMBER OF COMMERCE AGAINST RAISING TAXES TO BALANCE THE STATE BUDGET

WHEREAS,  the spread of the Covid 19 virus necessitated extraordinary measures to contain the infection rate among the general population; and

WHEREAS,  these extraordinary measures included the furloughing of thousands of employees and the temporary closures of numerous businesses within the Mohawk Valley region and across the New York State;  and

WHEREAS,  revenue to the State treasury has fallen dramatically due to suppressed business activity, payroll taxes, and hotel room taxes;  and

WHEREAS,  the State of New York is projecting budget deficits of more than $15 billion over a two-year period and as high as $60 billion over a four-year period;  and

WHEREAS,  the Governor and the State Legislature are currently contemplating a variety of taxes to close the budget gap in lieu of relying on spending reductions;  and

WHEREAS,  higher taxes combined with the continued lockdowns on targeted businesses will cause irreparable harm to the already damaged State economy, and will make New York even less business-friendly than it already is;

NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED  that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce is strongly opposed to balancing the State budget by implementing any increased taxes; and

AND BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Greater Utica Chamber of Commerce strongly recommends the lifting of burdensome lockdown restrictions and the re-opening of the regional and state economies as expeditiously as practical so that economic growth can help alleviate the state budget deficits without higher taxes.