Assemblyman and State Chairman of the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Robert J. Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) joined Assemblyman Ed Ra (R-Franklin Square), Putnam County Executive and American City County Exchange (ACCE) National Executive Board Member Kevin Byrne as well as Members of the Assembly Minority Conference today to talk about Tax Day and voice concerns over New York’s current economic outlook. The state has once again ranked worst in economic outlook in the 2023 issue of "Rich States Poor States,” and tensions are running high as New Yorkers continue to leave the state as a result of its unaffordable nature and bleak financial future. Smullen and other state lawmakers agree it’s time to form constructive solutions to help support New York communities.

“I felt it was very important to hold this press conference today so we could address the magnitude of the economic issues our state is facing,” said Smullen. “New York has ranked 50th in terms of economic outlook since at least 2016 on the ALEC index. This ranking is unacceptable and makes me wonder: how did we end up here?”

The Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index is a report that ranks the economic competitiveness of all 50 states using variables such as sales tax burden within that state, state minimum wage, tax expenditure limits, etc. Based on these variables, New York’s rankings in terms of Economic Outlook as well as Economic Performance are very concerning and require state lawmakers’ attention.

“New York families need us to take a deep-dive look at these rankings and better understand our financial predicament. In order to create the affordable, secure state our communities deserve, we have to compare New York’s position to that of other states, get a better perspective on how we can improve our economy and brainstorm solutions that will last. Inflation and high taxes have wreaked havoc long enough—now it’s time to put an end to the financial mayhem so New Yorkers can look forward to the future rather than worry over its stability,” concluded Smullen.

Editor’s Note: If you would like to watch Assemblyman Robert Smullen’s opening remarks from today’s press conference, please click here.