The Scorecard will look at all state legislators and tally information based on four specific criteria. The scoring will be based not only on legislators floor votes, but it will also track committee votes, sponsorship of legislation, advocacy efforts and votes taken on the 2010-11 state budget. The Scorecard will be updated frequently and include Unshackle Upstate’s legislative priorities, as well as calculate the elected official’s stance on anti-taxpayer legislation. The final compilation of the Scorecard will be released in late spring 2010.

1. Introduction
Unshackle Upstate has launched a statewide forum that directly connects thousands of New York’s taxpayers and
job creators. The forum provides New Yorkers with a social networking vehicle to discuss the issues and concerns
affecting our state. Having generated thousands of followers in a very short period of time, the voice of the
Unshackle Army continues to grow; standing up and speaking out against those elected officials who continue to
make the poor choices that directly and negatively affect our lives.
To provide New York’s taxpayers, job creators and the Unshackle Army with the information and tools needed to
make informed judgments about their elected official, the Unshackle Army will be releasing a Scorecard that will
provide legislative information on all 212 state representatives.
The Scorecard: A Judgment Day Primer for Voters
The Scorecard will look at all state legislators and tally information based on four specific criteria. The scoring
will be based not only on legislators floor votes, but it will also track committee votes, sponsorship of legislation,
advocacy efforts and votes taken on the 2010-11 state budget. The Scorecard will be updated frequently and
include Unshackle Upstate’s legislative priorities, as well as calculate the elected official’s stance on anti-taxpayer
legislation. The final compilation of the Scorecard will be released in late spring 2010.
Unshackle Upstate Agenda
New York cannot withstand the continued outrageous spending and tax increases. To bring New York out of this
dire fiscal spiral, Unshackle Upstate is committed to the following objectives:
• Reduce State and Local Spending – State and local government spending has continued to outpace inflation.
New York, its taxpayers and job creators simply cannot afford our state’s current spending habits.
• Reduce State Borrowing – State borrowing continues to escalate, even as New York now has to bond projects in
order to provide additional operational dollars. This is extremely irresponsible and simply unsustainable.
• Reduce Taxes, Fees and Assessments – It is both appalling and disturbing that upstate income taxes are 22%
higher than the national average. Local property taxes are 55% higher and local sales taxes are twice as high as
the national average.
• Reduce Mandates – New York State is notorious for its labyrinth of laws and regulations that whittle away
at the ability for people to do business in New York. State legislators must stop forcing mandates on the hard
working men and women of this state.
Scorecard
Unshackle Upstate will score every member of the legislature (score range from -15 to 100). The Scorecard will
provide all New Yorkers with a comprehensive description of state legislators’ voting records and their level of
advocacy on behalf of taxpayers and job creators. The results of the Scorecard will be shared with the public
through press releases, letters to the editor and various social media outlets.

2. Scorecard Guidelines
Legislative Votes Unshackle Upstate will identify 10-15 bills which they either support or
(0-60 Points) oppose. Unshackle Upstate will issue and publish memos in opposition
or support on each of those bills. State legislators voting in support of
Unshackle Upstate’s position will be scored points for taking such votes.
Unshackle Upstate will also provide points for legislators’ committee and
motion to discharge votes. Legislators can receive up to 60 points in this
category.
e.g. Opposition to IDA wage mandates, opposition to farm wage
mandates, support for TIF legislation.
Budget Advocacy Unshackle Upstate will identify positions on significant issues contained
(0-25 Points) in the 2010-11 budget. Legislators actively supporting Unshackle
Upstate’s position either through letters, proposed amendments, or floor
votes will receive up to 25 points depending on their performance.
e.g. Opposition to HCRA Surcharge, increased DMV fees, support for
spending cap.
Sponsorship of Members who sponsor and champion legislation that has been identified
the Taxpayer by Unshackle Upstate as legislation that will help the growth of New
York’s economy will be eligible to receive up to 15 points. Points will be
Agenda Items
awarded depending on the gravity of the legislation and the level of
(0-15 Points) advocacy associated with the legislation. Support will be determined
through such activities as press conferences, press releases, webcasts,
letters to the editor, letters to leadership, motions to discharge, proposed
floor amendments, sponsorship, etc.
e.g. Repeals the Triborough Amendment, implements the
recommendation of the “Suozzi” Commission, Repeal 18-A.
Anti-Taxpayer Members who sponsor and champion legislation that has been identified
Legislation by Unshackle Upstate as legislation that will slow or repress the growth of
the New York’s economy (e.g. additional mandates, increases to the cost
(-15-0 Points)
of business, new state debt) could have up to 15 points deducted from
their scores. Points will be subtracted depending on the gravity of the
legislation and the level of the legislator’s advocacy efforts.
e.g. Paid Family Medical Leave, IDA wage mandates.