Happy New Year! If only the rest of New York State was able to emulate the success of the 44th Senate District.
While the rest of the state saw enormous population loss, our area is one of the few bright spots for population growth in the state, which is a testament to the strong leadership at the local level.
This past year, over 101,000 people left New York State, the third consecutive year with such a sizable loss of population, according to U.S. Census data. New York has the dubious distinction of leading the nation in out-migration of population.
In April 2020, there were more than 20.2 million New Yorkers, that fell to 19.5 million people as of July 2023, a decline of over 631,000 people since the pandemic.
Last year, New York lost a congressional seat and representation in Washington, D.C. due to ongoing population loss compared to other states. The Empire State could lose three more congressional seats in the 2030 Census if current trends continue, further eroding the state’s influence at the U.S. Capitol.
New York is a beautiful state with a talented workforce, great businesses large and small and many wonderful recreational opportunities for people.
The continued hemorrhaging of population and out-migration to other states is an existential threat to New York State’s economic well-being.
When enough people who can afford to leave New York State are gone, who will be left to pay for the infrastructure, health care, police, schools, and other necessities?
It’s time to stop just talking about this exodus and take action to reverse the trend. Keeping the status quo is not an option. I’m not a “Johnny Come-Lately” on this issue, as I’ve been advocating for some time for state government to address this continuing population loss.
Unfortunately, the leadership of our state, which is controlled by one voice from one affiliation predominantly from one region of the state, continues to bury their heads in the sand pretending that “everything is awesome.”
However, the numbers don’t lie. People are heading for the doors and escaping from New York in a mass exodus.
That’s why I am sponsoring bi-partisan legislation with Assemblyman Angelo Santabarbara that would create a Commission on New York State Out-migration to conduct a year-long research and fact-finding campaign by holding public hearings and interacting with New Yorkers from all walks of life and all corners of the state to get feedback about why people are leaving the state.
The examination of the reasons for the exodus to other states would include, but not be limited to, affordability, housing, economic opportunity, public safety, education, health care, and the climate.
The commission shall consist of 13 members with three appointed by the Governor, three by the Assembly Speaker, three by Temporary President of the Senate, two by Senate Minority Leader, and two by Assembly Minority Leader. No current member of the legislature can sit on the commission and 10 of the 13 commission members must reside in each of the state’s 10 economic development council regions.
This Commission would not be creating a new bureaucracy as Commission members would all be unpaid volunteer patriots who want to stop New York’s population loss. Funding for support staff and to hold hearings would come from existing staff and the budget of the Empire State Development Agency.
Under my bill, hearings are to be held in each of the 10 regions within a period of one year after it becomes law with a final report and recommendations to be provided to the Governor and Legislature by 90 days after all the hearings are done.
You might be thinking, “don’t we already know why people are leaving?” First, we know it’s not just “the weather” as to why people are leaving.
And, yes, while we certainly can articulate many of the reasons why New Yorkers are fleeing our beloved state (affordability, taxes, regulations, crime, economic opportunities, declining personal freedoms, housing, etc), such a bi-partisan commission is needed so residents from all regions of the state have a vehicle to give voice to the Governor and our legislative colleagues that there is a desperate need for an agenda change in New York State.
We just can’t keep saying and pointing out there is a tremendous exodus from New York State and then let the status quo continue. We need an honest evaluation of why and what are the leading causes for this and a plan for change and mitigation.
Being silent and ignoring this reality is no longer an option. Our oath of office as legislators and governors demands it.
No more empty excuses. We need reasons and solutions!
Senator Jim Tedisco (R,C-Saratoga Springs) represents all of Saratoga County, Niskayuna and the City of Schenectady.
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