Upstate, stay and join in rebuilding livable communities

The Capital Region’s freshman state Sen. Daphne Jordan has done us all a real service. Whether it’s the one she intended is to be seen.

Jordan, R-halfmoon, has introduced a bill requiring a study of a divorce between upstate and downstate. The stated reason is the different social, political and economic views of the residents of both regions. “It’s like going from England to France” she opines, meaning after Brexit, of course.

The best thing the Democratic governor and Legislature could do is pass the bill. If nothing else it will end the ridiculous smokescreen touted by upstate business that it is somehow victimized by downstate.

Whether we should separate ourselves from those with whom we disagree is an interesting subject. But two things undergird her idea and need to be looked at, hard. First, should downstate continue to subsidize upstate? Second, how do we resurrect a dysfunctional Republican Party?

The cold truth is that upstate municipalities are able to provide services because suburban taxpayers pay their bills. New York City roughly breaks even as a source and beneficiary of state tax dollars. Upstate schools, hospitals, parks, roads, you-name-it survive on an income transfer system that has existed for decades. That system makes sense if you believe in progressive economics where the wealthy pay more and the poor receive more. But good or bad, that’s how New York works.

It makes sense to revisit this issue, as a public policy matter. Is downstate subsidizing upstate? Should we continue to do so? Let’s agree to get answers and live by them.

It also makes sense to do this for political reasons. The Republican Party has self-destructed in New York. That’s not in anyone’s interest. Democrats and all of us need a functioning opposition capable of challenging ideas and values.

That will not happen if remaining Republicans cling to untrue and ineffective nostrums about economic growth. Groups like Unshackle New York join with incumbent legislators in persistently preaching discredited supply-side economics. Cut taxes, cut spending, cut regulations and all will be well.

The evidence says otherwise. Big businesses flock to those portions of New York that are high-tax, high-investment, high regulation. Small businesses flourish as well. If you want economic development, invest in schools, roads, mass transit, workforce training and day care. How will upstate do that if the downstate subsidies disappear?

Sometimes culture wars overcome common sense. “It’s like going from England to France” Really? Only if England is subsidizing France and France is in economic extremis. Personally, I urge upstaters to stay within the family. But with open eyes and a willingness to begin the difficult task of rebuilding livable communities in partnership with the rest of us. If Jordan’s bill does that, it will be welcome indeed.

Democrats and all of us need a functioning opposition capable of challenging ideas and values