Taxes are killing this state and that's one of the main reasons so many businesses have left NYS. NYS is using the formula that when you need more money raise taxes and every year the tax base gets lower so the legislature better change their way of thinking or we're going to be well on the road to bankruptcy the same as California is.

The biggest problem is the high taxes in NYS and that's the main reason that many businesses have left the state. When NYS needs more money they just raise taxes and every year the tax base gets smaller. Our legislature had better change the way that this state operates or we'll be just like California, well on the way to bankruptcy.

It's not enough to break stories about Downtown before the MSM, now I must submit free development plans? How about trying to ask Ray? He is getting over $200,000 in salary and benes to "run" County Planning and the Metrop Authority. He won't answer the sheeple but maybe he would a Supervisor. Try being open and bring local businesses into the planning process at the beginning not after. i.e, (Center City tower, Stratton's Circle to Nowhere on Erie).

     Two starting ideas, reopen the Police substation on Jay Street improving SPD presence on State and Jay. More of a police presence couldn't hurt. Throw the idiotic ALCO housing plans in the garbage and improve the infrastructure for Schenectady Steel and other new industrial employers. There were many good jobs Downtown beyond those at GE. The fact that every jewelry store fled after Metrop should tell you something. Many merchants made a good dollar Downtown, so did their employees. When you close a dollar store for a gin mill that never opens, that hurts sales tax revenue, hurts former patrons and sends the message you don't know what the hell you are doing.

The Maxon Rd Industrial Site in the City is 100% full. Other industrial sites must be created and improved including ALCO works. This includes Rotterdam and Glenville by the Airport. We do not need more housing, especially in the City. GE will not have over 40,000 but it has bought in wind turbines to Schenectady.

     Taxes and crime are the two biggest problems. Another is the lack of a two party system and any checks and balances. Joann is right that other cities are in decline but they did not raise sales taxes to create another level of government. The people are skilled and hard working. The answer is not more government. We need an honest assessment of government at all levels in this County. Programs that can be terminated must be. Real consolidation including school districts must occur. The City Council should be slashed to 5, the County Legislator replaced with an unpaid Board of Supervisors. This would save millions and result in property tax reductions.

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It's not enough to break stories about Downtown before the MSM, now I must submit free development plans?

Yes, and thank you very much

All great thoughts too!

service jobs are fine but who can afford them......someone in that sector needs to make enough to afford a very old house in a very old city and pay
for alot of renovations, heat, food and their own entertainment AND PAY THE VERY VERY HIGH TAXES........a service job at $10-$15/hour
SURE AS HELL DOES NOT AFFORD A HOME IN SCHENECTADY.....WHERE IS THE FREAKIN' PREVAILING WAGES???????????????????????????????

WHERE ARE THE PREVAILING JOBS?????? everyone wants something for just about nothing and others want it all and still pay close to nothing for something

IE: you cant afford me and I cant afford you..........

TECH TECH TECH TECH TECH TECH.....................NEW ENERGIES.........GM/FORD/CRYSLER(old way)....GE? where is the new?????

GE was Schenectady. GE put Schenectady on the map. As good or as bad as they were, they were the ones paying the people a good wage to shop at all of the downtown stores, including the jewelry stores. I am not giving GE all of the credit here. My point is that without good paying jobs (and there are few and far between), no business will do well.

So the plex is just spinning it's tax paid wheels. I don't care how many small businesses they can try to entice to come to Schenectady, the bottom line is not many people have those great paying jobs to support them.

Look at Colonie or Saratoga. They don't just focus on 2 blocks for their tax base and let the rest of the cities go to he**. And I'm sure they don't cater to the welfare recipients like Schenectady does either.

The best idea Benny had was to form a board of supervisors and get rid of the county legislature. FIRST!!!