By Mark Scott
Albany, NY – Governor Eliot Spitzer's first State of the State address Wednesday is expected to include plans to cut taxes and ease business laws to revive the upstate economy.
Governor Spitzer released his upstate agenda Tuesday. It includes a property tax cut of $6 billion over three years aimed at middle class homeowners and more state aid for "distressed upstate cities and towns" in exchange for restraints on local spending.
Click the "listen" icon above to hear Mark Scott's story now or use your podcasting software to download it to your computer or iPod. Spitzer would create an upstate chairman for the Empire State Development Corporation, based in Buffalo, to attract and help employers. Mayor Byron Brown says he's already had discussions with Spitzer about Buffalo's economy.
Spitzer would also bring fast, broadband Internet service to distressed upstate cities and rural towns to help attract business.
The New York State Business Council says Spitzer's upstate agenda would address such high costs as property taxes and is most welcome.