Last November, New York Democrats took over the legislature, giving them extensive leverage over state policies. Ruinous far-leftist legislation is depriving Upstate New York of its jobs, residents, fuel, as well as heavily taxing its residents, according to Assemblyman David DiPietro.
He has proposed a bill that would split the state into three regions—keeping the state intact, but drawing lines to alleviate burdens placed on Upstate by eliminating excessive bureaucracy. If passed, the three regions—New Amsterdam, Montauk, and New York—would govern themselves individually, giving Upstate a chance at survival, according to DiPietro. The five boroughs would make the New York Region.
Should New York be split into three separate regions? – WKTV https://t.co/cGYw1vq6aB pic.twitter.com/fNloddMZtN
— Manhattan News (@ManhattanNews) March 12, 2019
“The out-migration is horrendous,” said DiPietro in an interview with The Epoch Times. “Everyone in my area of the state can tell you dozens of people they know—family members that left for greener pastures because there are no jobs—everything’s dried up.”
83 percent of upstate municipalities suffered from out-migration between 2010-17, with Buffalo—a severely poor city—losing a total of 2,821 people, including population gained, according to Press Connects. In 2017, New York lost more population (48,510) than any other state, according to the United States Census Bureau.
Ban Lifted on Natural Resources
Governor Cuomo banned fracking in 2014. The U.S. Chamber of Commerce’s 21st Century Energy Institute reported that 1.7 million jobs were created by fracking in a two-part study last year, with a total of 3.5 million jobs expected by 2035. With a state split and the ban lifted, DiPietro said this would bring up new opportunities.
“We could revamp this state right there, by allowing us to frack [in Marcellus Shale] and get our own energy and become more independent, instead of New York’s liberals telling us how to live our lives and whether or not we can start tapping into the natural resources. Jobs would explode.”
Republican Assemblyman David DiPietro has proposed that #NewYork be divided into three autonomous regions.
He has said that #NewYorkCity’s leftist policies are damaging the state’s economy.
“Without New York City, the rest of this state will take off like a rocket.” pic.twitter.com/riy2xKZKA7
— NTDNews (@news_ntd) March 12, 2019
New York City has passed various laws that have consumed the state’s fund, according to DiPietro. This includes $550 million made by the New York Niagara Power Authority used to balance New York City’s budget in 2015, yet giving nothing to Upstate New York, said DiPietro. The power plant would be under the jurisdiction of the New Amsterdam region if the bill is passed.
On Feb. 4, Cuomo announced a $2.3 billion drop in New York’s income tax revenue, saying that the drop was “as serious as a heart attack,” according to the New York Post. Cuomo is uncertain about what spending areas will need to be cut.
.@DiPietro4NY is joining @Sahlens and @OCChoppers to announce a project that will bring the traveling Vietnam Wall to East Aurora as a permanent tourist attraction at Knox Farm State Park. @WBFO #WBFOVeteransNewsDesk pic.twitter.com/2NpSTG4B87
— Michael Mroziak (@MrozWBFO) December 18, 2018
‘We’re Tired of Suffering’
Another law that has contributed to the economic burden of Upstate New York is the Dream Act, which gives illegal aliens financial aid for college. Taxpayers now pay for their education. Abortion at the third trimester and strict gun control policies have also been passed by the Democrat-ruled Senate.
“New York City has dictated how we live … and people have said enough is enough. And the only way we’re gonna bring them back is if we take control.”
