An Open Letter to Governor Andrew Cuomo

Dear Governor Cuomo:

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. That's a thank you for ReCharge NY, part of your budget (which cut spending by 10% - I guess that deserves a "thank you" too...), a thank you for SUNY2020, and a thank you for the 2% property tax cap. When you became Governor almost 8 months ago, we and our Upstate partners would have been thrilled with any one of these accomplishments - you've delivered them all. So thank you!

What's equally impressive - it seems you're not quite finished. With the roll out of "Phase II" aka NY Works, you've compiled a real, sensible plan to economic development, job creation and revamped state operations with a $1 billion commitment to making New York "Open for Business". Needless to say, well done.

With that being said, we're bummed that you'll be unable to join us for our Accelerate Upstate event occurring August 4 & 5. (We understand scheduling conflicts, though.) Seems to me, the Accelerate agenda goes hand in hand with NY Works. We've hustled to bring in presenters that will discuss ways to use Upstate's assets to better New York as a whole. We aren't focusing on the Upstate/Downstate divide - that's been done before. We want to figure out how we can best thrive in a state where about two-thirds of the population lives south of the Tappen-Zee Bridge. We get that's never going to change- and we are ok with it.

Accelerate Upstate is going to be about how we can be the best one-third we can be, which will undoubtedly improve the rest of New York State. Your approach to the duties of the Governor thus far, especially with the NY Works plan, seemed to be a match made in heaven with Accelerate, and we look forward to presenting our findings to you after the event concludes and we compile all the great ideas and discussions that will take place.

Again, thank you for orchestrating one of the best legislative sessions this state has ever seen. We look forward to continuing to work with you as the NY Works plan develops and we really become Open for Business.

Sincerely,
AJ

PS- Governor, if you decide to show up to Accelerate Upstate, we PROMISE we'll act surprised. We might even jump up and down a little.