With the New York budget numbers out, it seems that NYC is going to be shortchanged for its taxes, with more money being disbursed to the rest of the state. The difference isn't much, but it is noticeable. Okay well $11 billion is more than just noticeable, but does it justify seceding from the State of New York.
From The NY Sun:
Emboldened by Mayor Bloomberg's testimony in Albany this week that the city's taxpayers pay the state $11 billion a year more than they get back, a City Council member is offering legislation that would begin the process of having New York City secede from New York State.
Peter Vallone Jr., a Democrat who represents Queens, is pushing the idea, and the Council plans to hold a hearing on the possibility of making New York City the 51st state.
"I think secession's time has definitely come again," Mr. Vallone, who spearheaded a similar push in 2003, told The New York Sun yesterday. "If not secession, somebody please tell me what other options we have if the state is going to continue to take billions from us and give us back pennies. Should we raise taxes some more? Should we cut services some more? Or should we consider seriously going out on our own?
Going out on our own is a ridiculous idea Mr. Vallone. This is more absurd than when the San Fernando Valley wanted to secede from Los Angeles. Sure, we are the powerhouse of the state and yes, I can admit to being a city dweller to the extent that I believe anything above Manhattan is upstate (technically it is you know). Despite those notions, it doesn't give us the right to separate into another state in the union. Mr. Vallone might want to check his history as well, especially given the fact that if it wasn't for upstate, NYC wouldn't be the giant it is in the first place.
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