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Message: [QUOTE="Crusty, post: 794425, member: 2265"] Thanks. Interesting article. I am learning a great deal researching this issue, I grew up in Utica and spent my career in NYC so I have always been an upstate kid in downstate. Hence, my interest in the topic. Utica always played second fiddle to Syracuse with respect to development because anything Utica had, Syracuse had better. Even our college, Utica College, was part of SU back then. So, I try to pays attention to what is going on in Utica and to a lesser degree CNY. The establishment of SUNY Tech has been about the only positive thing I have seen the state do for Oneida County since I was a kid! The nanotechnology center is actually happening and has added 1,500 jobs and is projected to add about 5,000 to 6,000 in the next few years. That aside I see nothing. If you grow up in Utica, you come to believe that the main reason for the high property taxes is local and county corruption! I imagine that Syracuse must be similar. Of course, you have a larger point. I am surprised to learn that New York State is one of the few states that requires a county government Medicaid contribution so your point and a valid one. I also see that these costs have been capped at 3% increase per year. While it doesn't help the costs currently on county budgets, at least these costs are constrained to a reasonable degree in the future. New York State income tax rate are not the nominal problem. As I have stated before they are actually lower than NC. However, if NYS picked up 100% of Medicaid costs income taxes would have to rise. It sounds to me as if costs of doing business (including property taxes) are the main issue. I would like to learn more. What energy policies are you referring to that are the cause of high prices? What exactly is the definition of brownfields? It seems to be a rather nebulous term used in academic and political circles with no concise definition. How do they figure in to the equation? Isn't the union issue a Dem issue rather than a NYC issue? (And I agree with you with respect to those union related issues including government pension funds). This clearly does impact local property taxes but it is a local issue. The one area that I think is difficult is the contractor liability issue. If we are talking about liability for inferior workmanship or materials, I can't see why contractors should get a walk. Perhaps, you are referring to something different? Why are these issues an upstate/downstate deal? I can assure you downstaters are just as upset about property taxes as upstaters. BTW Connecticut has not has county government since 1960. Certain government functions such as the courts are still organized around the old geographically boundaries but that's it. Counties are just another layer of bureaucracy Thanks. [/QUOTE]

Verification: What is a Syracuse fan's favorite color?