Bob - Hello from a Buffalonian. WNY is like Eastern Europe. Everyone knows the problems, but those who can leave, while a larger portion of those who remain have in some way bought into the existing system. Therefore, change does not happen.
There is one way to force this change - seperation between New York City, and the remainder of Upstate. Make NY City a self-governing entity, perhaps similar to DC. Allow New York upstate to form its own state. It would change the politics and economics of Upstate NY in a radical way. Upstate NY could find the freedom from downstate politics, Gov’t unions, etc... and control its own resources such that it could become a “normal” state, like nearby Ohio.
Probably needed....but probably NEVER happen.
Hello from Rochester. I would go just a little further and add Albany to the NYC separation. Nothing affecting the city does so without going through Albany first.