Rome, NY Sucks

But At Least We're Not Utica

Friday, February 01, 2008

Year One, 52 Percent

The promise of the Spitzer administration was tax relief and better economic conditions for upstate. Now, at the same time the governor proposes non-specific monies for ill-defined projects upstate, he drops the economic bomb. Instead of the five decade long practice of taking half the public assistance costs mandated by the state from county governments, Spitzer wants to raise it to 52%.

This increase is a direct swipe at the upstate economy. In this economically depressed area, where a skilled job pays about half as much as a similar position in NYC, the costs of living are slightly cheaper than that area. Upstate is experiencing a migration of downstate people with no jobs taking their New York State benefits up here. That means the upstate counties are footing an ever increasing bill.

This is what we call an unfunded mandate. If Oneida County could decide what we covered in Medicaid, it would be less expensive and less desirable. Instead, liberals in Albany run right over our region. If the middle class is shrinking in this state, it's not Bush's fault, we're just leaving for a state where we have a voice.

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2 Comments:

  • At February 01, 2008 9:26 AM, Blogger Rebecca Mecomber said…

    I still think Albany's doing it on purpose, to drive us out, so Upstate's natural resources are on their bargaining table with corporations.

     
  • At February 01, 2008 10:56 PM, Blogger Theophobe said…

    Anybody here ever read the Declaration of Independence? I think the following section is applicable - "But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object evinces a design to reduce them under absolute Despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such Government, and to provide new Guards for their future security." Mrs. Mecomber is right on!

     

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