The Empire Center today released its 2018 edition of “Checklist for Change,” a summary of more than 20 reforms needed to promote renewed economic growth and competitiveness in New York State.

Based on key measures, New York has fallen behind national economic trends, losing millions of residents to other states over the last decade. The report is an initial checklist, focusing on the most important reforms aimed at reducing the state’s cost burdens and improving its climate for growth.

While the checklist is not an exhaustive menu, the reforms focus on six priorities, highlighting essential first steps in the right direction. These include:

  • cutting taxes;
  • curbing health care costs;
  • controlling public employee compensation;
  • reducing the job creation toll;
  • adopting pro-growth energy policies; and
  • streamlining state development regulations.

The Empire Center, based in Albany, is an independent, not-for-profit, non-partisan think tank dedicated to promoting policies that can make New York a better place to live, work and raise a family.

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