For IMMEDIATE Release: May 11, 2015

Contact: Jim Shahen, 518-455-5746

MURRAY: PULL THE PLUG ON START-UP NY

After a state Comptroller audit showing $211 million being pumped into Start-Up
NY and other promotional campaigns with no tangible results, Assemblyman Dean
Murray (R,C,I-East Patchogue) called for the governor to pull the plug on his failed
initiative. To date, only 76 jobs have actually been created by the program and the
promised result of 2,100 new jobs in five years has yet to come to fruition. Murray, a
staunch advocate for real development, would like to see Start-Up NY eschewed for a
back-to-basics approach to growing our economy.
Over $200 million has gone into pumping up Start-Up NY and all its been is a
waste of taxpayer money, said Murray. The program can only take credit for a paltry 76
jobs across the state and is promising a total of 2,100 new jobs. Thats an average
$25,000 of taxpayer funds spent per job. Thats just unacceptable.
The governor needs to give up on this disastrous program and stop relying on
cheap gimmicks and costly ad campaigns. They dont create jobs. They dont grow an
economy. They just waste our money and allow our economic decline to continue
unabated.
Its time to get back to what really works: cutting the red tape that stifles new
and existing businesses. We also need to end the nickel-and-diming of our residents that
has led our oppressive tax climate and causes too many businesses to shutter their doors.
Instead of trying to invent innovation and progress, we need to take a step back and give
our entrepreneurs and successful businesses room to breathe and develop, Murray
concluded.
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