Posted by Dan Cummings - It was a first-of-its-kind:  this week's State of UPSTATE speech by Governor Spitzer.  The plans he outlined were ambitious and if they come to pass, almost certainly would have a tremendous impact on the economic future of the entire Upstate NY region.   The difficulty is in the dollars...and this he will have to deal with starting next week...when his executive budget is presented.  
 
He's asking the legislature to approve a substantial amount of money for some very worthwhile projects.  The challenge, of course, will be paying for it.  Both the Governor and the Legislature are eager to hold the line on taxes, and cut them where possible.   In addition to the Upstate projects, Spitzer also wants to invest heavily in the State University system and other priorities.  And, the state is facing a deficit upwards of 4 and a half billion dollars.
 
Finding the funds to get the job done for Upstate is clearly one of Spitzer's priorities.  There is no longer any question about that.  How he, the Assembly and the Senate will manage to accomplish it remains to be seen.  It will test both political will and the ability of our state leaders to make difficult choices.