Important legislation that could benefit the entire state, but especially the upstate economy, never moves forward because the downstate-focused Assembly won't even consider it despite strong support from the state Senate and executive branch.

During the administration of former Gov. George Pataki, it was a common occurrence. But that made sense to a certain degree, given that Republicans controlled the Senate and the governor's office.

But now in Albany, you have a Democratic governor winning over the Republican majority in the Senate with his plan to work out a property tax cap. The Democratic minority in the Senate is also behind the plan.

And don't forget the 74 percent of New Yorkers who want such a cap, according to a Siena College Research Institute poll.

Despite the momentum for actual change, in the end, the problem remains the same. The state Assembly majority remains staunchly opposed to such a plan, with Democratic Speaker Sheldon Silver saying he wants to be sure schools get replacement funding for money they lose under the cap.

In other words, he doesn't believe in fiscal discipline.

Silver, of course, is bowing to the pressure of the powerful New York State United Teachers union, which has an obvious interest in making sure no limits are placed on school district spending.

Until last week, the union had the same hold on Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno, but he has wisely come around to the concept.

It's important to note what that concept is. It's not proposing cuts to education funding.

It's proposing a limit on how much annual spending can increase.

As hard as Silver tries, there's no justification for his refusal to support this idea - even if he wants to change some details - and to find a way to get something done.