Written on Wednesday, May 7th, 2008 at 9:08pm by Alan Bedenko | 8 Comments

Singing Just Leave Well Enough Alone

Yes, it’s true that New York is one state; geographically and to a degree politically.

Economically, though, there’s a distinct difference between upstate and downstate; between east and west. The upstate economy is saddled with fail. Whether it’s taxes higher than that of neighboring states, regulations that are too onerous, or a general business unfriendliness, there’s really no compelling reason why a company might locate in Utica or Rochester or Buffalo when Erie and Toledo and Columbus are also available.

I’ve said before many times that, to compete, all of upstate should be a massive empire zone. That hasn’t happened. But under former governor Spitzer, at least upstate had a dedicated upstate economic “czar” named Dan Gundersen. Not only that, but his office was going to be based in Buffalo.

Governor Paterson is considering scrapping the downstate/upstate economic czars. Upstate business leaders and the heads of Unshackle Upstate aren’t happy, and they hope that – if this does happen – that Gundersen become the head of the united Empire State Development Corp.

I think that it’s a given that, when forced into competition, downstate interests will prevail over upstate interests, and losing a dedicated advocate for upstate business development is a massive step backwards.

Upstate New York of the 2000s is not unlike the eastern Europe of the 1990s. It needs Sachsian shock therapy. It needs people to fight for it. It needs fundamental change in the way government works.

All I know is that, Albania and Slovakia have more robust economies than Western New York.

UPDATE: Read what In Java, Literally has to say. NYCO notes this Rochester D&C article alleging that Gundersen is very loosey-goosey with his state plastic.

Tagged with: , , , , , ,

8 Comments

  1. Starbuck says:
    May 7, 2008 at 10:28 pm

    Upstate New York of the 2000s is not unlike the eastern Europe of the 1990s. It needs Sachsian shock therapy.

    True but what does that have to do with it? Gunderson isn’t pushing for that. Neither was Spitzer. And certainly there’s no call for that from Paterson, Bruno, Silver, Rath, Volker, Hoyt, Peoples, or Aintione Thompson either. Razenhofer won’t either. Those are all status quo guys and gals. They are all pushing against big reforms.

    If the people of WNY won’t even elect ONE SINGLE STINKIN legislator who seriously pushes for “shock therapy”, even if that person is on the wrong end of near-unanimous votes, then what hope is there that some bureaucrat can make it happen? None.

    There’s no electoral evidence I can see that most NYSers want shock therapy type changes. And it’s not just an issue of incumbency. Even when ther are openings, nobody pushing for true fiscal conservatism would stand a chance of winning. Most voters want the status quo policies – even more so downstate, but up here too. The proposaed NYS income tax hike got a majority positive in a NY statewide Sienna poll a few months ago.

    The NYS politician who most recently proposed something closest to what you describe was John Faso. About 70% of voters didn’t agree with him evidently. It was clear in 2006 that he favored much more economic refom than Spitzer did. Faso is very well informed on economics and put forth specific proposals for big changes.

    Upstate NY will remain in Belarus-like stagnation no matter where they put an economic development exec’s fancy offices. By the way, even under Pataki there were people in the state economic dev office tasked with specific focus on Upstate and WNY. That’s why the Gunderson thing always seemed like just symbolism to me. It didn’t sound new in any significant way except his title. B.F.D. Same shit, different title, with some musical chairs of where the offices are located.

    Maybe as a compromise to keep his job he’d agree to ease up on the expensive meals he’s been buing on his expnse account in exchange for being allowed to move back to Saratoga. That stupid episode of idiot grandstanding polticians forcing him to move to Buffalo should’ve been embarassing for this city. We demand that you live here! Then again, imagine how Rochester must have felt.

  2. NYCO says:
    May 8, 2008 at 7:58 am

    I just want to say that the Rochester D&C story (actually it’s Jay Gallagher) is absolutely ridiculous and seems like stenography straight from whoever among Paterson’s downstate cronies wants Gundersen out. The idea that those amounts of money represent “loosey gooseyness” is ridiculous.

    That said, I agree that Gundersen the guy is more valuable than whatever technique he’s been using.

  3. Ben Franklin says:
    May 8, 2008 at 8:57 am

    But his pants are down – his cover’s blown

  4. TseTse says:
    May 8, 2008 at 10:09 am

    There is nothin wrong with a single development CZAR provided he/she is located upstate, not in NYC not in Albany. The Economic development office can function for the ENTIRE state out of Buffalo, or Rochester, or Syracuse just as effectively (or ineffectively) as out of NYC. Plus, with the growth of London, Dubai, and several cities in Asia as world financial capitals, all competing with NYC, the state better have enough foresight to balance its economic base and diversify before it gets kicked in the ass.

  5. Denizen says:
    May 8, 2008 at 11:58 am

    People in upstate NY are apparently materially distracted enough to not vote or not give a shit about even thinking they need to vote.

    Get back to me when ATMs stop spitting out cash, a la 2001 Argentina.

  6. hank says:
    May 8, 2008 at 2:21 pm

    The River Styx is frozen this morning, as I’ve found common ground with
    TseTse
    There is nothin wrong with a single development CZAR–Agree!

    provided he/she is located upstate, not in NYC not in Albany.

    Do you think that geography will help here? A Downstate apointee living in Buf/Roch/Syr/Utica will only feel like they have been exiled to Siberia. Doesn’t mean they will favor or concentrate on upstate/West just because they’re forced to live there.

    The Economic development office can function for the ENTIRE state out of Buffalo, or Rochester, or Syracuse just as effectively (or ineffectively) as out of NYC.

    Sure it could. No doubt. Question is, WILL IT?

    Plus, with the growth of London, Dubai, and several cities in Asia as world financial capitals, all competing with NYC, the state better have enough foresight to balance its economic base and diversify before it gets kicked in the ass.

    I agree again.

    But given the history of NYS in the last 50 years, have you seen ANYTHING done with foresight? Skyway is a great example. Built even though the funeral wake for Buffalo as a grain milling/transfer point was already in progress?

    Do you see a domed Bills stadium in Lancaster? It’s supposed to be there. 39 years ago it was in the planning stages.

    Look at Niagara Falls, USA and Niagara Falls, ONT. Any foresight there?

    Frankly, I could see PA, VT, CT and MA just cutting up the state and the Empire State just swallowed up by states not as messed up.

 

You need to log in to vote

The blog owner requires users to be logged in to be able to vote for this post.

Alternatively, if you do not have an account yet you can create one here.

Powered by Vote It Up