NEW YORK -- A brighter future, the 51st state, that's what State Senator Mike Nozzolio is pitching to New Yorkers. The goal is to find out if you would support the idea of upstate New York breaking away from downstate to become an independent state.
"I don't think it will work, because New York City would eventually collapse on itself, in a much larger tax need being spread across the same amount of people, says Jonathan Sandgarten.
Kimberly Fischmann of Fayetteville says it would be a good idea. "Our economy, jobs, in Upstate, businesses and corporations are closing around here. I think people are moving because the economy is down and it would benefit our local people more," says Fischmann.
In his article, Senator Nozzolio says, "...a separate upstate New York, creating the 51st state, would allow our region to shed the detrimental laws, regulations and taxes that inhibit development so that we can re-emerge as a leader in job growth and economic opportunity..."
The proposal to even ask the question would still have to pass the State Legislature to even be on a ballot. It would then be up to individual counties to decide if they would want to include it on the balllot during the next election cycle.
Gary Sega, of Syracuse, says, "Waste of time. Not gonna happen. Why even bother with it? There's bigger issues in this state. Our budget, for instance. There's better things to do."
