NYC Secession for Self-Determination and Self-Rule?

Emboldened by Mayor Bloomberg's testimony in Albany this week that the city's taxpayers pay the state $11 billion a year more than they get back, a City Council member is offering legislation that would begin the process of having New York City secede from New York State. Peter Vallone Jr., a Democrat who represents Queens, is pushing the idea, and the Council plans to hold a hearing on the possibility of making New York City the 51st state. "I think secession's time has definitely come again," Mr. Vallone, who spearheaded a similar push in 2003, told The New York Sun yesterday. "If not secession, somebody please tell me what other options we have if the state is going to continue to take billions from us and give us back pennies. Should we raise taxes some more? Should we cut services some more? Or should we consider seriously going out on our own?" ...Another council member, Simcha Felder, who chairs the Governmental Operations committee, said the bill will be considered this year. "It certainly has merit," Mr. Felder said of the proposal. "Why in the world should New York City be held hostage to the state? It just doesn't make sense."