Call your representatives in Albany and ask for a definition of upstate and downstate.
Better yet, ask them to delineate or define the demarcation line between upstate and downstate.
Historically, if not geographically, downstate starts just south of the Albany County line on the west side of the Hudson River and Rensselaer County on the east side.
But politically, downstate starts just south of the Westchester County line and includes all five boroughs. The downstate designation also includes Long Island, but it too plays ugly sister to New York City.
When it comes to doling out tax incentives and other initiatives, New York City receives the lion”™s share because it has more representatives concentrated within its boroughs than any other region in the state. They can easily vote as a bloc and basically get anything they want.
However, keep in mind that New York City remains the ladle that stirs the economic pot of the state. It certainly isn”™t being stirred by Buffalo.
But not to be overlooked is the Hudson Valley as an economic driver. It too cranks out more revenue than it receives in return in the form of benefits.
The problem with the Hudson Valley is that it gets dumped into the “downstate” mix.
It”™s more no-man”™s land to the state Legislature, which does little to ensure for the region”™s future. That brings to question the power of the lawmakers who live in the Hudson Valley and represent its people and businesses.
As followers kowtowing to the party leaders, little is done to drive economic development. Just witness the departure of companies over the years to business-friendly states. Attracting business to the region just isn”™t happening on a large scale. There are some promising ventures out there, but they still haven”™t set down roots.
With jobs lacking in this state, New York will soon see what other states in the Northeast have been experiencing ”“ brain drain. Promising young professionals will think nothing of leaving for high-paying jobs in other states, if not other countries.
Without a solid business base, New York will be just a shell of its former self.
