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Praise for Creating a Prosperous New York State
Already a leading voice in our state, Mark now adds his considerable
talents as a policy analyst and writer to the reform debate. Common
sense pervades his analysis, and policymakers would do well to read and
consider his proposals.
---- Jeremy M. Creelan, Deputy Director, Democracy Program,
Brennan Center for Justice, New York University
Mark offers a blueprint for how we can restore New York’s competitive
standing. Failure to act will result in continued loss of our young
people and consign the state to a dismal future of higher taxes and
lower economic growth. The choice is ours.
---- John Faso, Candidate for New York State Governor
This book allows the taxpayer to bypass the political spin and find out
what really is wrong with the Empire State. Mark has pried open
Pandora’s Box with this book and New York is better for it.
---- Pat Manning, Assemblyman and founder of StandTallNewYork.org
Mark has done New York State a valuable service by calling attention to
the many challenges facing businesses in New York. These are the
challenges government must meet for New York to achieve economic growth
and prosperity.
---- Eliot Spitzer, NYS Attorney General
As leader of one of the state’s largest counties, I confront daily the
irresponsible and onerous legislation emanating from Albany. Mark is
dead on. Our state leaders ignore the majority’s interests, serve the
special interests, and unwittingly diminish our future. Many of Mark’s
ideas would dramatically improve our government’s effectiveness,
children’s education, businesses’ competitiveness, and citizens’
well-being.
---- Tom Suozzi, Nassau County Executive
Mark has deftly articulated New York’s “Gordian Knot.” His book
demonstrates a thorough understanding of the problems New York
businesses face, which New York’s government must address - - now!
---- Honorable William F. Weld
This is an important book which illustrates exactly how the state’s
dysfunctional government hurts the business climate and the quality of
life in our state. Mark is a critical ally in our fight to fix New York
State government and restore fiscal sanity to Albany.
---- David A. Paterson, NYS Minority Senate Leader
Creating a Prosperous New York State is right on target! It is a useful
tool for people who are proud of its past and want more for its future.
It is a roadmap for citizens to take back the power of democracy.
---- Nicholas Pirro, County Executive of Onondaga County
Mark writes a thoughtful analysis of the problems facing our state and a
framework to solve these problems. This is a remarkable book that is a
must read by all New Yorkers who are concerned for the future of our
state.
---- Charles Nesbitt, Former NYS Minority Assembly Leader
It’s easy to complain about New York State Government, but it’s hard to
change it. Mark has thoughtfully created a solid reform package to
create positive change. He’s earned our respect. He need’s our help.
---- Jim Walsh, U. S. Congress
Mark hits the nail on the head in his assessment of NYS’s once strong
economy and the need for reform in Albany. I applaud him for his
insightful commentary.
---- Jeff Brown, Assemblyman
Mark is a leading voice in the movement to create a more responsive and
responsible government, and more prosperous future. This book outlines
some of our greatest challenges, the reasons for those challenges, and
possible solutions.
---- Dave Valesky, NYS Senator
Mark concisely describes and offers solutions to the state government’s
shortcomings. His solutions lift burdens from businesses, encourage them
to remain in the state, and enable all of us to prosper.
---- Michael, Chairman of the NYS Conservative Party
Opinion polls frequently remind us a majority of New York residents feel
the Empire State is on the wrong track. Mark has done an absolutely
superb job of documenting why this feeling is justified - - and to
pointing to the reforms needed to put the state on the right track.
---- E.J. McMahon, Empire Center for NYS Policy
Mark is a sober, sensible businessman, who understands that New York’s
competitiveness problems are best understood by highlighting our anemic
performance in job and wealth creation compared to other states with
comparable circumstances and challenges. Everyone interested in
understanding the extent to which New York’s problems are self-inflicted
will benefit from this book.
---- Matthew Maguire, Moderator, Upstateblog.net
“Awe” describes my first impression. “Respect and admiration” for Mark’s
momentous undertaking describe my second. I am overwhelmed at the amount
of relevant information, the professionalism, logical flow, and
impressive list of recommendations. I could not support Mark’s proposals
more!
---- David Spence, Citizens for Better Government in New York
Mark is a welcome addition to the reform movement in New York State. His
knowledge of small business and passion for needed reform make him a
force to be reckoned within this movement.
---- Barbara Bartoletti, Legislative Director, League of Women Voters of
NYS
Everyone in New York should read Mark’s book and RUN, not walk, to their
nearest polling place. Your legislator is probably one of the nicest
people in the world, but if they’re not part of the solution that Mark
prescribes then they are part of the problem and need to be removed.
---- Bruce Grieshaber, Jenna’s Law
This is a guidebook to constructive change. It is straightforward,
insightful, and filled with common sense. Mark leads us away from
political maneuvering and toward real leadership.
---- David Little, New York State School Board Association Director of
Governmental Relations
Every concerned citizen of this once great New York State should carry
this book in their hip pocket. Rarely have the chronic ills of our
current state been so succinctly enumerated, making it readily apparent
that the remedial steps suggested are sure to succeed . . . but only if
we have the will to see them through to fruition.
---- Roger Bogsted, Nassau County, Conservative Party Chair
Mark, as a successful businessman, who understands the complex workings
of NYS government, offers excellent insights into the economic and
political challenges facing our state. More importantly, he proposes
intelligent, politically feasible, common sense solutions. The book is
an essential roadmap to a strong and prosperous New York. It is
indispensable reading for all New Yorkers, especially elected officials.
---- Michael Benjamin, Chairman, Save New York, Inc.
Here are good ideas to get New York back on track from an unusual
source: someone who actually has to meet a payroll and is trying to grow
a business. Mark’s ideas deserve the careful attention of state leaders.
---- Jay Gallagher, Capitol Bureau Chief, Gannett News Service,
Author of The Politics of Decline: How Citizens Can Save New York
Anyone who cares about NYS should read this book. It should be read by
every candidate for governor, every legislator, every legislative
staffer, and every newspaper editorial board. Mark describes the
problems, identifies sensible solutions, and issues a challenge. Do we
have the courage to change a system that suits the powerful and thrives
on the status quo?
---- Mark Alesse, State Director, National Federation of Independent
Businesses
This book provides thoughtful assessment of the challenges facing our
state. It is time to move from word to deed and for all of us - public,
private and legislative, to collaborate, solve these challenges, and
ensure a prosperous future for our state.
---- Linda Sanford, Chairwoman, The Business Council of New York State
This book is about our lost ability to compete on an equal footing with
five billion other people who have the U.S. in their economic sights. It
is ironic the Empire State has fallen from the top to the bottom of our
country. Burrows Paper is only 30% left in NYS. We must reverse the
insidious degradation of our state.
---- Bill Burrows, Owner and President of Burrows Paper
Mark has the uncanny ability to simply state, complex problems, and
offer practical solutions that will return New York to its Empire State
status for future generations!!
---- David Duerr, Interim President, Greater Syracuse Chamber of
Commerce
This is a must read for everyone who loves New York. Well researched and
organized, Mark has created a blueprint to return our state to the
economic prominence it once enjoyed.
---- Harold King, Executive Vice President, The Council of Industry of
Southeastern New York
Mark has been a national and state leader in the agriculture for years.
His past successes and thought provoking book are evidence that he can
help us build a better New York State. His thoughts need to be discussed
and debated, but frankly the state’s implementation of most of them is
long overdue.
---- John Lincoln, President of New York State Farm Bureau
This book should be on the desk of every New York State business owner
and Legislator.
---- Jack Endryck, Managing Director, Building Industry Employers of NYS
Everyday manufacturers see the devastating impact of increasing costs to
their businesses. One cannot read this book without agreeing with Mark -
New York State needs reform now if it wants to maintain and grow high
paying jobs in its vital manufacturing sector.
---- Randy Wolken, Executive Director, Manufacturers Association of CNY
This is impressive plain spoken advice from a sixth generation farmer
with a solid grounding in economics and pubic policy. His objective is
clear – rebuild a better state for future generations. It’s time to get
behind his ideas, revitalize the state’s economy, and improve the
well-being of all New Yorkers.
David Klein, CEO, The Lifetime Healthcare Companies
I commend you for having the dedication as a private citizen and
business owner to address the issues plaguing New York State. Your
synopsis of the situation provides an opportunity to address the
impediments that prevent our economic prominence.
---- Irwin Davis, President, The Syracuse Metropolitan Development
Agency
Mark offers an objective analysis of the difficulties New York
businesses face and the implications to all state residents. There is no
spin, no exaggeration, just the facts from a person who cares about his
business, employees, community, and state.
---- Greg Harden, President of Harden Furniture
This book should become a New York Times best seller. We need more New
Yorkers to take its message to heart before the tax base erodes to the
point that New York becomes little more than one giant welfare state.
---- Milt Stevenson Jr., Principle of Anoplate
The book’s comparison of New York and Minnesota provide proof that it is
not the snow that drives business away from the state; rather it is the
snow job the citizens receive from Pataki, Bruno, and Silver.
---- Thomas Waring, The Waring Financial Group |
