UUP president opposes Tax-Free NY proposal

The president of United University Professions (UUP), the union representing faculty at the State University of New York (SUNY), on Wednesday issued a statement opposing Gov. Cuomo’s Tax-Free NY proposal.

The union supports efforts to grow the state’s economy, but not at the expense of SUNY’s academic mission or the students that UUP members serve, Fred Kowal, UUP president, said in a news release.

“This proposal would allow new businesses to set up shop on and near SUNY campuses without legislative oversight, and they and their employees would be exempt from paying business and income taxes for 10 years.  We also fear these tax breaks would create unfair competition for the current, tax-paying businesses that rely on the patronage of SUNY employees and students,” Kowal said.

The state needs a more “progressive” tax structure to help increase the revenues needed to reinvest in the public higher-education system, not “more corporate welfare,” Kowal added.

“In addition, if there is vacant space available on SUNY’s campuses, it should be used first to expand students’ access to needed course offerings and class sections to handle increased enrollments, and allow students to have a quality educational experience and to graduate on time,” Kowal said.

UUP represents 35,000 academic and professional faculty on 29 New York state-operated campuses, and is an affiliate of New York State United Teachers, the American Federation of Teachers, the National Education Association and the AFL-CIO.

Danny Donohue, president of the Civil Service Employees Association (CSEA), offered a similar reaction in a May 22 news release.

Gov. Andrew Cuomo on May 28 announced that the Tax-Free NY initiative has the support of several local officials statewide.

Onondaga County Executive Joanne (Joanie) Mahoney, Oneida County Executive Anthony Picente, and Broome County Executive Debra Preston are among the county leaders endorsing the plan.

Contact Reinhardt at ereinhardt@cnybj.com