" I agree with each writer thus far; it's about time but it is also a joke. A group of high school students could define the problem based on a very simplistic analysis of the data.

A study? Becoming the highest tax burdened state in the U.S. along with the worst business climate did not happen over night. Include the negative growth and our situation is very sad. It took effort, or is that ignorance, or perhaps greed? It did not happen over night. It tooks years of gross misconduct and self serving positions to the issues.

I left the state this past month because of the insane spending and moronic government we can not escape during my life time; just being realistic. Leadership in our state government is the problem, at the highest level. But what concern do they address; or better yet, act to correct? Did our standing in the U.S. happen overnight, of course not, it has been happening for years with no change in site. Our leadership have been puppets for the unions, their own lush pensions and self gratification. Most of them should be escorted to the gallows or prison for what they have done to this state and the fine hard working folks of upstate New York. Perhaps Hilliary might come back for a day or two and follow up on some of the promises she made years ago or is currently proposing for the rest of the country. I hope your laughing...

When I first returned to NYS I wrote my elected reps and asked if they projected continued escalations in the tax burden at the level it was growing at. This was before I built. When I finished my "retirement home" I was paying approximately $4,300. When I most recently left (3 years later) I was paying just under $12,000 for taxes. I never heard a response to my letter but then again, I never expected one from my "elected rep". Sad, isn't it. They are a gut-less and ball-less bunch; unless it benifits ther cause directly.

Did I mention that I now pay 81% less in property tax? I have a brand new home, twice the size of the one I had in NYS, I have twice, no three times the services and gas is 18% cheaper. Let's see, just with property and gas tax, I am saving 99% of that which I was giving to NYS to waste.

I still love the area, and the fine hard working people of upland NYS. It's the absolute corrupt and bought government I could not take any more.

Chaos "

" Yep, its a no brainer. If you run a business and spend more than you make. You go out of business. I have to agree Spitzer is a moron. I love this area and the finger lakes. I'm planning on retiring at 62. At the rate taxes are going up. I'll have move to a lower taxed state. But, I wouldn't be sticking the taxpayers here for a lush retirement package. Like the taxpayer supported retirement is. Plume comes to mind.........and the turf goes on and on and on. Lets not forget the 43 million dollar over sized since enrollments are going down. BOCES campus that was shoved down our throats "

" You don't need a blue ribbon panel to find ways to cap taxes! Stop the needless spending whether it's state, local or school spending! Great example is the turf. It was put before voters and voted down. Pabis and his band of clowns still push it. County legislators are no better. No hiring freeze, just keep spending the taxpayers money. When they run out, tax those in the county more. Life time health insurance for them and their families is a perfect example. Spitzer is also a moran. Why spend our tax dollars to fund a report that any high school student can tell you the answer to. You can't spend more than you take in. Cap the spending, and the taxes won't increase! "

" It's about time someone took the initiative to do something about our taxes "