What Do You Think An Independent Greater Western New York Should Look Like?

Last week’s Commentary received an inordinate amount of positive feedback (see “It’s Time For Greater Western New York To Declare Its Own Independence,” Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel, July 1, 2021). Since these came from a variety of sources on a plethora of platforms, it’s likely you haven’t had the opportunity to see them all.

Allow me to summarize.

It starts with a simple question:

“What do you think an independent Greater Western New York should look like?

OK, it turns out it’s not so simple as you might think. But at least it sounds straight-forward. While the answer to this question yields a spectrum of solutions, at least most agree on the problem as articulated by New York State Senator George Borello.

Representing one of the state’s largest Senate Districts (57^th) including Allegany, Cattaraugus and Chautauqua counties plus eight towns in Livingston County, Borrello says, “The New York City-centric state government policies of high taxes along with oppressive and unnecessary regulations have disproportionately damaged Greater Western NY. It is the primary driver of our loss of population and rising poverty. One-size-fits-all state government has made us uncompetitive and kept our local economy in a perpetual state of recession.”

Clearly, Senator Borrello, though he runs as a Republican, Conservative, Independent, and Libertarian, speaks for all parties. (I talked to several Democrats on this issue and, while they agree, they only spoke if they were off the record.)

That all long-time residents of the Greater Western New York Region, no matter what their political persuasion, can recognize this basic problem marks our beginning point. It is the commonality that binds all of us.

In fact, you’d be within your rights if you were suspicious of anyone claiming this isn’t a very real issue.

But let’s move beyond that. Let’s talk solutions.

That’s right. “Solutions.” Plural. For there are many ways to solve this problem. Some have already been tried (with success) while others have merely been proposed (without success). Let’s go over the three most talked about.

The first solution posits the Greater Western New York Region becomes an independent state. (The region is defined by the 17 westernmost counties as described in this chapter from 50 Hidden Gems of Greater Western New York: “A Whole Greater than the Sum of Its Parts.”)

Indeed, this is similar in concept to the Split-the-State bill sponsored in the New York State Assembly by Assemblyman Stephen Hawley. Hawley, whose 139^th Assembly District represents Genesee, Monroe and Orleans counties, says, “Becoming our own state is the best solution for the people of the Greater Western New York Region because the people of our area deserve a meaningful say in their government.”

Of course, becoming a state requires not only the two chambers of New York State to approve this, but also the two houses in the federal government. Some say this makes it too difficult. On the other hand, given the Democrats control all these State and Federal houses, now might be the best (and easiest) time for Greater Western New York to become an independent state (see, “It’s Easier For Greater Western New York To Become Its Own State Than For Washington DC To Achieve Statehood,” Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel, April 29, 2021).

Still, there is an alternative that doesn’t require any action by the federal government. New York State, by itself, can choose to create independent autonomous regions within the state. This has the benefit of allowing us to govern ourselves just as we would if we were an independent state.

Senator Borrello has sponsored an Autonomous Zone bill in the New York Senate. (Assemblyman David DiPietro of the 147^th Assembly District representing the southern portion of Erie County and all of Wyoming County sponsored a similar bill in the Assembly.) Borello says, “I believe making the Greater Western New York Region an Independent Autonomous Zone represents the best solution because it solves the NYC problem without involving the federal government.”

Of course, what Albany gives, Albany can easily take away. That brings up the third solution: nullification. This is similar to what occurred following the rushed middle-of-the-night passage of the SAFE Act. This controversial law was so flawed, sheriffs in individual counties spoke out against it and refused to enforce it.

This is not the same as civil disobedience, popularized in the 1960s civil rights protests. This is a more formal policy implemented by the populace through the selection of elected officials who can carry out such actions.

Ultimately, the most egregious aspects of the SAFE Act fell away in court. Still, other problematic aspects remain unaddressed, exposing the limits of nullification.

Of interest is a comment made by several people that bears repeating. The fundamental problem in New York State is the dictatorship of the majority. This means densely populated cities can rule over rural communities. Because of the highly concentrated populations of Buffalo and Rochester, none of these potential solutions will address this problem unless a new state constitution is written.

This new constitution would be patterned after the U.S. Constitution unlike the New York State constitution which predates it. For more information on this, see “This is Why New York State Needs an Electoral College,” Mendon-Honeoye Falls-Lima Sentinel, April 9, 2019).

What do you think an independent Greater Western New York should look like?

Click GreaterWesternNewYork.org to join us for a free event on Thursday evening, July 15^th at 7:30pm for a Midsummer Night’s (Virtual) Town Hall Meeting. You’ll listen, you’ll ask, and then you’ll decide. All in one fast-paced event that won’t last longer than 90 minutes. (Who knew you can solve all our problems in so short a time!)

You’ll have the opportunity to listen as three distinguished guests will each pitch their own independence solution. Assemblyman Stephen Hawley will promote the idea of Greater Western New York becoming an independent state. Senator George Borrello will explain how regional autonomy works. Finally, James Ostrowski, a Buffalo attorney whose case is being considered by the U.S. Supreme Court, will explain how individual counties can simply nullify unacceptable laws.

After their brief statements, you’ll get a chance to dive deeper into their ideas by asking them questions through the panel moderator. Once we’ve exhausted our questions (or reached our 30-minute time limit), you’ll break out into rooms based on your county for further discussion. Then – and this is the most exciting part – you’ll return to the main room and we’ll have a vote to see which solution you most prefer.

Are you ready to listen, ask, and decide? Click GreaterWesternNewYork.org to start the free registration process.