Long Island: the 51st State?

ChrisF202 · 03-28-2008, 15:01 PM

Long Island: The 51st state? -- Politics, Long Island, Newsday -- Newsday.com

Quote:

Long Island; bigger than 19 states and more populous than all but the country's three largest cities -- is big enough to stand on its own, secede and become the 51st state, said Suffolk Comptroller Joseph Sawicki.

Sawicki will formally renew his call to make Nassau and Suffolk -- with their 2.8 million people -- its own state at an 8 a.m. breakfast Friday morning sponsored by Dowling College's Long Island Economic and Social Policy Institute.

"Before you dismiss me as being on the fringe of craziness, just imagine: Taxes raised on Long Island would be spent on Long Island," said Sawicki, dusting off an idea that he first proposed as a state assemblyman in 1991.

Sawicki said the region in 2004 sent $8.1 billion to Albany in taxes and fees but got back only $5.2 billion. "I don't know about you, but I don't like the way these numbers add up," he said. "It leaves Long Island paying for the rest of the state."

Such local movements have been a recurring issue across New York for years. Long Island's East End has sought a separate Peconic County, Staten Island has sought to break away from New York City and Queens Councilman Peter Vallone Jr. has also pushed to make New York City a state unto itself. Most such efforts fail because the rest of the Empire State balks at such political amputations.

But Martin Cantor, the institute's director, said the sagging economy and the state's turmoil -- amid resignation of Gov. Eliot Spitzer, the ascension of successor David Paterson and questions over control of the state Senate -- make the time ripe for reviving the idea of Long Island statehood.

"It makes sense now because whether it be Spitzer or Paterson, no attention is being paid to Long Island," Cantor said.

Reaction from top Long Island figures was mixed. Glen Cove Mayor Ralph Suozzi said, "There should be some serious people looking at this," noting that Long Island communities would benefit because tax revenue would remain here. However, he worried that separating from New York would mean reproducing state services here, which could mean higher taxes.

Others were emphatic against the notion. "It's asinine," Smithtown Supervisor Patrick Vecchio.

Some took a more lighthearted view of the idea. Islip Supervisor Philip Nolan said, "The creation of Long Island as the 51st state would set off the best competition ever -- between Tom Suozzi and Steve Levy. That would be brutal. I'd love to watch that."

In some ways I think this is a good idea. As stated in the article we already float the rest of the state and especially NYC and in return we are basically treated as if we arent even a part of NYS. The state gives more money to NYC schools then they to do Long Island schools. The state assigns more state troopers upstate then they do down here (we have less then 100 troopers out of a force of about 5,000).

gunnut · 03-28-2008, 16:32 PM

Quote:

Sawicki said the region in 2004 sent $8.1 billion to Albany in taxes and fees but got back only $5.2 billion. "I don't know about you, but I don't like the way these numbers add up," he said. "It leaves Long Island paying for the rest of the state."

Isn't it strange how politicians complain about the rich part of the state supporting the poor part? California politicians complain about sending more money to Washington DC than we get back. At the same time these politicians have no problem raising taxes on the rich people to fund programs for the poor people.

Anyone ever noticed the hypocracy?

crooks · 03-28-2008, 17:57 PM

This is almost exactly like what happened here when Dun Laoighaire (a highly wealthy and exclusive port/town), a suburb of Dublin City, tried to form it's own County on the basis of resentment at sharing a council with the 'dodgy' inner city - why is it always the rich places that want to segregate themselves?!

Rich people of the world revolt, all they can take is your SUVs

!

On a more serious note though, could a genuine case be made for seperating them?

dalem · 03-28-2008, 17:57 PM

No more bloody states. 50 stars on the flag is a nice round number.

-dale

03-28-2008, 17:57 PM	#3 (permalink)
crooks Green, White 'n Orange *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 10-17-06 Location: Blarney, County Cork, Ireland Posts: 1,291 Country:	This is almost exactly like what happened here when Dun Laoighaire (a highly wealthy and exclusive port/town), a suburb of Dublin City, tried to form it's own County on the basis of resentment at sharing a council with the 'dodgy' inner city - why is it always the rich places that want to segregate themselves?! Rich people of the world revolt, all they can take is your SUVs ! On a more serious note though, could a genuine case be made for seperating them? __________________ 'Liberty - it is newly strung and shall be heard.' - Motto of the United Irishmen. Last edited by crooks : 03-28-2008 at 17:59 PM.

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03-28-2008, 17:57 PM	#4 (permalink)
dalem Lord High Hullabalooster *Senior Contributor* Join Date: 11-23-04 Location: Columbia Heights, MN Posts: 8,323 Country:	No more bloody states. 50 stars on the flag is a nice round number. -dale

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