Long Island Considers Plan to Become 51st State

In an effort to highlight the disparity between generated revenue and received state funding, officials in Long Island have proposed a six-months study to weigh the benefits of seceding from New York to become the nation's 51st state.

1 minute read

April 1, 2008, 6:00 AM PDT

By Nate Berg

"Sawicki and Martin Cantor, director of Dowling's Long Island Economic and Social Policy Institute, announced the six-month study at a breakfast Friday on the Oakdale campus before local business and government leaders."

"Both Sawicki and Cantor acknowledged such a split may be tough to sell politically to the rest of the state, but it is important to raise the issue to underline how much the region contributes to state operations and how much less it gets back -- a gap of $2.9 billion."

"'It's time for us to begin to think outside the box. In our case, it's that sandbox in Albany that we must look beyond,' said Sawicki, adding later, 'If we were getting our fair share of education aid from the state, we wouldn't be here talking about this.'"

FULL STORY: Sawicki presents 51st state proposal for Long Island

Monday, March 31, 2008 in Newsday

Community / Economic Development Government / Politics New York Long Island Secession Revenue View More

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