Hell, I lived in NY for almost 20 yrs and got out 20 yrs ago so yes it took time. But it seems you have a pathetically weak Republican party, downstate thug union corruption and a venal political class in Albany. So please excuse my lack of sympathy...I remember the rot beginning in the 60's with my friends suddenly announcing that they we moving...not to another part of town or even Rochester or Syracuse but OUT of the state.
I saw the welfare state destroy not only black families but most of the upstate...one at a time...Folks don't talk about the NY fascist welfare system but they really do think you belong to the state