'State of Upstate' Reaction Roundup

by: phillip anderson

Thu Jan 17, 2008 at 08:14:35 AM EST

Historically speaking, the problem always has been convincing downstate politicians of the need for both ends of New York to work together. Animosity fueled by a "city slickers" vs. "country bumpkins" mentality hasn't helped -- remember New York City Mayor Ed Koch blowing his 1982 gubernatorial run when he said upstate folks were "wasting time in a pickup truck when you have to drive 20 miles to buy a gingham dress or a Sears Roebuck suit"?

On Wednesday, though, came a solid admission about the shared destiny of upstate and downstate. In the first-ever "state of upstate" speech -- a follow-up to his State of the State speech last week -- now-Gov. Spitzer said: "We are one New York, and we rise and fall together. When part of our state is struggling, it affects all of us."

Spitzer outlined a series of proposals for upstate, including better support and marketing for upstate farms, funds for the construction of development-ready sites, and plans to build or rehabilitate 10,000 homes and apartments. He also wants to create business "incubators" at colleges such as Binghamton University, and also send 200 state troopers to help upstate cities fight violent crime.

On Tuesday, state officials announced $3.7 million for local renewal projects -- tearing down the abandoned Endicott Forging plant and the Ozalid Corp. building in Johnson City, as well as the O'Neil Building and other sites in Binghamton.

In other words, it's the usual laundry list of things meant to provide helping hands as needed. How exactly all of these initiatives will be funded given the state's potential $4.3 billion deficit will remain a mystery until next Tuesday, when Spitzer unveils his budget plan.

But what's most encouraging is that the governor's fellow downstaters, such as Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, seem to agree that an upstate boost would provide mutual benefit to everyone.

Rochester Democrat and Chronicle

Gov. Spitzer on Wednesday laid out an ambitious agenda for upstate revival, nearly all of it dependent on an agreeable state Legislature and a state not crippled by deficit.

The fact that a governor came upstate - to Buffalo - for the first time to deliver a speech to address the concerns of this economically troubled region and to propose remedies, ought not be underestimated. Spitzer said in an interview with upstate editorial boards last month that his legacy rides on his ability to turn upstate around. If that's not so, it ought to be. He was elected in part on his promise to reverse upstate stagnation.

If the state does not move this year to infuse upstate with more capital and policy reform, the looming recession could deepen the problems. Now is the time.

...

Spitzer touched all the bases Wednesday. His review of upstate's needs was comprehensive. All that's missing now is action.

More than the significance of any of its considerable parts, what matters most about Gov. Spitzer's State of Upstate address Wednesday is that he gave it all.

Finally we have a governor willing to wade into Buffalo, the South Bronx of our times, and promise major state resources, guided by local hands, to turn it and western New York around.

Now, rhetoric remains just that, whether uttered in Rockwell Hall at Buffalo State College or, as in the past, in Albany. But the fact that Eliot Spitzer brought the weight of his office to Buffalo, that the event was attended by key members of the Legislature and that it was treated with an appropriate level of importance, seems to herald a breakthrough in terms of exercising political will to save upstate. None too soon.

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I found the closing few minutes of Spitzer's impressive, conciliatory speech a notch above the rest, when he stated "there is one New York, one state and one future." That was a clear shot at any legislators or downstate types who might complain about sending $1 billion out to the western part of the state.

Come on, fair is fair. New York City had its rescue during the Carey years. Albany got a huge boost during the Pataki years. It's Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse and Binghamton's turn.

Spitzer's failures as a political reformer and politician during his first year in office have been well-documented and written to death. What his administration hasn't gotten proper credit for, though, is a year of doing its homework in preparation for the upstate revitalization initiative.

Apparently -- and we're hearing no contradictory words from upstate politicians of either stripe -- Spitzer's people went on their own extensive, Hillary-style "listening tour" to assess upstate troubles and upstate needs. Consequently, the laundry list the governor enumerated Wednesday carries the weight of local input, and the promise of shared commitment. Not the usual, Albany top-down economic packaging and policy making.

More on the flip...

If one facet of the first State of Upstate speech in New York history impressed those who heard it Wednesday, it was the mere fact that Gov. Eliot L. Spitzer came to the beleaguered region for its delivery.

Spitzer outlined a sweeping economic redevelopment plan to about 800 people in Rockwell Hall at Buffalo State College, promising to pump $1 billion into various economic stimulus plans aiming to "overcome this storm and return growth and prosperity to upstate New York."

"We can make upstate open for business; we can attract young people and keep them here; and we can truly become the best place in the world to live, work, raise a family and start a business," he said. "That is our vision."

The hourlong address featured much of the pomp and circumstance of a traditional State of the State speech in the Assembly Chamber, with Lt. Gov. David A. Paterson and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver attending, along with all of the Western New York delegation to the State Legislature.

Upstate's Future (Albany Times Union)

The upstate economy has long been a major issue for Republican legislators, of course, including job initiatives. But their prescription focus been largely on tax cuts as the answer. Mr. Spitzer's plan also acknowledges the need to reduce state taxes wherever possible and to hold the line on local levies, but it also a far more encompassing look at what is will really take for upstate to experience a revival.

In some cases, basic steps are needed, such as helping counties like Herkimer prepare acreage for development, or helping Rochester turn 3,000 acres of brownfields into shovel-ready sites. In others, a different approach is required. More broadband access, for example, and more efforts to attract international investment, especially from Canada. Or helping State University at Binghamton provide incubator space for start-up companies seeking to turn research at the campus into the jobs of tomorrow.

Having a plan is one thing. Making it happen is the larger challenge. The potential for playing politics will be great, but state leaders should remember that upstaters will be watching to see who is in their corner, and who is merely posturing.

WNED (Buffalo)

Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown was among the dozens of politicians from across the state who were on hand to hear Governor Spitzer's message on Wednesday.

Brown calls Spitzer's revitalization plan "tremendous."

"One of the things that really struck me was the governor's committment that the AIM funding, the aid to municipalities, would not be reduced. In fact, it will be increased by $50 million," said Brown.

Brown says Spitzer's plan to increase funding for affordable housing will help make Buffalo's quality of life better.

Erie County Executive Chris Collins says he can't imagine why any state lawmakers would stand in the way of Spitzer's Upstate Revitalization Plan.

"Everyone recognizes we are one state and upstate has been left behind. I'm going to be the optimist which I am that says this is going to have bipartisan support and it's going to up to the governor to carry this across the finish line," said Collins.

When asked if downstate and Republican lawmakers will sign-off on the Governor's costly plan, State Senator Dale Volker noted that Spitzer is starting the new year with a less confrontational tone.

"If this attitude continues, we're going to get a lot done," Volker said.

State Senator Dale Volker says Spitzer has been "obviously reaching out" to lawmakers as of late.