Business Leaders Voice Concerns to State Lawmakers ROCHESTER, NY (WXXI) - Business owners and leaders held a forum Wednesday to air their concerns to state lawmakers.

The event at the Dryden Theatre was organized by the coalition Unshackle Upstate.

Sandy Parker is President and CEO of the Rochester Business Alliance. She says New York State has had one of top tax burdens in the nation since 1977. Parker says the state must learn to live within its means.

Parker says the state budget totaled $78 billion nine years ago; that compares to $138 billion for the current fiscal year.

Parker is recommending a number of steps to cut state spending, including:
--cut the budget for state operations by three-percent
--institute a state payroll delay and furloughs to offset state worker raises approved in April
--merge some backroom state agency operations
--keep spending on public schools flat next year
--and do away with member items, a process, she says, that is steeped in divisive politics

State Assemblymen Joe Morelle and Brian Kolb were on hand to listen to the concerns of the business community.

Wednesday's forum was the first in a series of meetings that will be held in upstate New York.
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