Dividing New York State? Towns to meet to discuss possibility

BETHANY, N.Y. (WHEC) — Multiple towns across New York have once again begun discussing if the state should split up into three autonomous regions.

The Town of Bethany is going to hold a multi-county meeting with the Town of Marilla. Both towns already passed home rule resolutions in support of the idea.

Three meetings are scheduled in January, with one of them in Rochester:

• Sat., Jan. 8 at 3 p.m. in Oneonta, NY at Slogan’s NY Grill
• Sat., Jan. 15 at 3 p.m. in Jamestown, NY at Lori’s Kountry Kafe
• Sat., Jan. 22 at 4 p.m. in Rochester, NY at Red Fedele’s Brook House

Discussions like this have popped up in the past, but the bill has failed to pass.

Supporters argue it makes taxes fairer for the potential areas. Bronx, Kings, New York, Queens, and Richmond counties would stay named ‘New York’. Nassau, Suffolk, Rockland, and Westchester counties would be called ‘Montauk’. Every county north of Westchester would be renamed ‘New Amsterdam’.