First Detroit, Next Upstate?

  |  July 29, 2013
photo by ramalama_22/via Flickr/Creative Commons

photo by ramalama_22/via Flickr/Creative Commons

That’s the question state comptroller Tom DiNapoli is asking: are some upstate cities in danger of facing bankruptcy as Detroit just has? “He says, like Detroit, upstate cities also have ‘unaffordable’ pension and health care costs, an eroding property tax base and declining monetary aid from state government,” says North Country Public Radio. “A preliminary report found two dozen cities, counties and villages are moderately to severely fiscally stressed.”

Upstate has tourism, and agriculture, and small businesses and yogurt (!). It has controversial proposals for major development, including real estate and gambling. Is it really in as much danger as Detroit?

Read On, Reader...