Submitted by mark alesse, May 22, 2007 16:50

Jacob correctly placed the responsibility for the state's economic crisis with Albany. He cites Bruno's hilarious malapropisms, but Silver hasn't much to say about the economy worth listening to either; (on the whole, the legislature is as economically illiterate as the population). They broke it. They should fix it. The trouble is, it can't be fixed. Not unless Albany stops concocting ineffective economic development programs, and starts doing what really needs to be done. Economic growth requires a low-cost environment. Period. It's the only way that people with energy and financing can turn an idea into a business. Capital spending plans from Albany can dump borrowed money on upstate cities from now until the cows come home...it won't make a damn bit of difference. New sidewalks won't bring jobs back to Buffalo, Rochester or Schenectady, and neither will complicated targetted tax breaks. Upstate will grow (and downstate will grow faster) only when the costs (plural) of living and doing business are reduced to the level found in the average state. It is not even controversial to observe that profitable businesses would more than make up for lower tax rates. But it isn't being done. If we want to create life in upstate communities, we have to give people a reason to stay, and that means a tax environment that encourages small business development, starting with a dramatically lower Income tax. Not surprisingly, states with average or below-average Income tax rates have above-average rates of job creation. But since we're New York, we must also cut the state gas tax, insurance premium tax, sales tax, vehicle registration taxes, estate tax, corporate taxes, utility taxes, highway use tax (I could go on). All these and more have to be cut so that when a business starts, it has a chance to survive. But, most important is cutting the Income tax, and here's why. Personal savings finances almost all new business startups. When salaried and hourly wage earners keep more of what they make, they can use it to underwrite a business. But, success requires customers have more disposable income, too. Lower income taxes, along with other tax rate reductions, achieves this and more. Owning a business offers people the chance to create personally satisfying and potentially richer careers. Nothing wrong with that. Sometimes simple solutions are best. Low taxes is the the cure for what ails upstate. Small and independent businesses can create exciting cities possessing individuality and character, a higher standard of living, and greater lifestyle choices for more people. All the things lacking in upstate today. Mark Alesse Alesse served on Senate and Assembly Majority legislative staff and was a lobbyist for 20 years before retiring in 2006.

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