Young Announces Re-Election Bid

Citing her commitment to tax relief and economic growth, state Senator Catharine "Cathy" Young officially kicked off her reelection campaign for the 57th District today. "My background of growing up on a dairy farm taught me the value of rolling up your sleeves and tackling tough issues. My parents worked hard every day, and they instilled in me the importance of helping others and making your community a better place. I strive to live up to their example," she said.

"We are facing serious issues in New York, and now is the time for action and results. This is a fight for the hardworking, overburdened taxpayers. Families and senior citizens are struggling to make ends meet. Suffocating property taxes are driving people and jobs out of our state. Wall Street is a mess, and it is causing a serious state budget shortfall. We need to rebuild our economy and people need good jobs," Sen. Young said.

"I've stood up in Albany for property tax relief, economic growth and cutting wasteful spending. The STAR program has helped reduce property taxes, but we need more. The Senate passed a hard property tax cap to give homeowners a break, which is a good first step, while protecting our schools from unfunded mandates that drive up costs. We also have a plan to totally reform the property tax system," she said.

"The Senate passed a Constitutional spending cap to rein in out-of-control spending, while investing in projects that will jump start our economy and grow small businesses. We passed a comprehensive Upstate revitalization plan to create more good jobs, opportunity and prosperity," she added.

"Unfortunately, the state Assembly has failed to act on these measures, but we can't give up. We need to redouble our efforts because the future of our state depends on it. I'm going to continue this fight for the people of my district," Sen. Young said.

"People know how hard I work for them, and that I am focused on getting positive results. We've had many success stories, including establishing an Empire Zone in Livingston County that led to 4M Company growing in Dansville and the new Barilla Pasta Plant in Avon. Cattaraugus County has seen Dresser Rand in Olean booming and a new Olean-based company named Data Listing Services creating hundreds of jobs.

In Allegany County there have been smart state investments that have kept and brought more jobs to Friendship Dairies, Dresser-Rand in Wellsville, and Alstom. Nanotechnology advances at Alfred University are developing high-paying jobs, and a new program to strengthen agriculture and renewable energy has been established at Alfred State College.

Chautauqua County has seen success at companies such a Cummins Engine, Nestle Purina and Special Metals," she said.

"Across the Senate District, hundreds of jobs have been created, and more are planned," Sen. Young said.

Other innovations are triggering economic progress, she added.

"Low-cost, clean energy is a must to help our economy thrive. Our planned clean oxy-coal Jamestown BPU plant will protect our manufacturing jobs and consumers by keeping energy rates low as we develop cutting-edge technology that could solve carbon emission problems around the world. Thousands of good-paying jobs in the Jamestown area and at Western New York companies such as Dresser Rand and Praxair, are projected to be created from this project," she said.

"Our wine and grape industry is taking off, and we're building a new Cornell University Vineyard Research Lab in Portland to meet growers needs. We're establishing a Grape Discovery Center in Westfield to strengthen our wineries, promote tourism and bring customers to our local small businesses. New York's grape and wine products annually produce more than $6 billion statewide in economic value, including over 30,000 jobs," said Mrs. Young, who serves as Senate Agriculture Committee Chair.

"I've fought for our dairy farmers, maple producers, animal producers, and fruit and vegetable growers. I've strived to create new opportunities for renewable energy through crops that our farmers can grow. Agriculture still is our state's number one industry, and we can make it even stronger," she said.

"We've made this progress in all of these areas because of smart investments that are spurring economic revitalization," Sen. Young said.

"Ideas, innovation, cutting-edge technology, manufacturing, small business growth and a thriving agricultural industry will help us weather these tough economic times and ready us to meet the future. I have a plan to provide desperately-needed tax relief that doesn't increase state spending -- it simply redirects existing funds to where they will be most effective. It will generate more business, jobs and prosperity while increasing state and local revenues to help us erase our deficit," Sen. Young said.

Highlights include:

Tax relief to stimulate small businesses and manufacturers

New tax credits for job creation and training

Reform the Empire Zone program to ensure accountability and create more jobs

Small business loan assistance

Tax credits for investments for emerging technology companies

Health insurance cost cuts for small businesses

Strengthening agriculture

Low-cost student loans and tax credits for students who stay in New York

Eliminate state regulations, mandates, red tape and paperwork

Foster community and neighborhood revitalization

"Despite all of the challenges that we face, I believe that by fighting for more accountable government in Albany, and taking the right actions for economic renewal and tax relief, we can prosper as a region and a state. Our best days are ahead," Sen. Young said.

"It has been my greatest honor and privilege to serve my communities. I am grateful every day to have the opportunity to help change and improve the lives of the people in my district, and I hope the voters will give me the chance to continue to work on their behalf," Sen. Young said.

Sen. Young is endorsed by the Republican, Independence and Conservative Parties. The general election will be held Nov. 4.

The 57th Senate District includes Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, Allegany and portions of Livingston County. Sen. Young was elected to the state Assembly in 1998 and won a special election to the Senate in 2005.