A New York conservative group wants to split New York into two states. Upstate would become "New Amsterdam" while the Big Apple and Long Island would keep the "New York" name.
Stephen Aldstadt is part of the group who wants the divide in the state. He said dissatisfied Western New Yorkers like him believe there is a lot of corruption in state government and don't believe state lawmakers in Western New York have much of a say.
"That's the big issue right now. People feel like they are not represented like all of upstate is run essentially by the New York City liberals and small group that are running the entire state," Aldstadt said.
Buffalo State Economics Department Chair Dr. Frederick Floss said the process to get this done isn't as simple as some might think.
"In order to be able to have the states split into two we must have a constitutional convention and change our constitution," Floss said.
Then New York voters would have to go to the polls to make the decision on it. Floss said since New York is a geographically large state and has a huge population in places like Buffalo, the split could work. However, the downfall would be ruining banking and business relationships believe upstate and downstate.
"The same would be true for power companies for example we generate a lot of hydropower for some of which goes down to New York City. Well, how would that relationship work?" Floss said.
Aldstadt said his group will keep pushing for it to happen. In fact, on Saturday the group is having an Exodus New York Rally from 1-4pm at Bullard Park in Albion.
