It would be pretty hard to misplace a landmass full of buildings and people, especially here in New York. Yet Assemblymember Andrew Lanza wants his own Staten Island to disappear from the city government of NYC. The borough to the south has tried to part ways with NYC in the past, but Speaker Silver killed it in 1994. Now Lanza wants to get it done next year and has written an epic novel to explain how it can be done.
From The Staten Island Advance:
Lanza said a financial study included in his secession bill shows that the Island could raise enough of its own revenue from property, business and payroll taxes in order to be self-sufficient.
While secession critics had said local taxes would skyrocket if the Island were its own city, Lanza said, "Our taxes have been raised over the years anyway.[...]
Lanza said other "unexploited" economic-development opportunities also could be pursued if the Island were no longer part of New York City.
"Being the second-largest city in the state would give us a lot of clout," Lanza said. "We'd have the second-biggest seat at the table."
Well he's right about them being the second-largest city, but as far as clout goes....I'm not so sure. Staten Island will still be "downstate." Staten Island will still have the same political demographics. Staten Island will still have one Congressmember, two State Senators and four Assemblymembers.
The only things that will change is that they will not be a part of New York City. NYC is a global powerhouse and has a tremendous amount of clout. Staten Island may feel that they aren't treated as well as the others, but they receive what they put in. The island may gain some independence, but it'll probably end up as a costly adventure that the half-million residents may soon regret.
Oh and lest we forget, this is New York and if one of the three men in the room (the one representing the Assembly district in Lower Manhattan) doesn't approve then the 2,114 page piece of legislation, it probably won't even see the light of day.
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