Interview: Assemblyman Robert Smullen talks New York's outward migration

ALBANY, NY- Assemblyman Robert Smullen (R,C-Mohawk Valley and the Adirondacks) joined North Country News on Wednesday, January 31, 2024 and discussed outward migration, which has been a recurring echo from North Country lawmakers in the legislative chambers for quite some time.

Be sure to listen here:

In late December, Senator James Tedisco and Assemblyman Santabarbara announced a new bill for bi-partisan state commission to examine why people are fleeing the Empire State and recommend policy changes to stop the population loss.

This past year, over 101,000 people left New York State, the third consecutive year with such a sizable loss of population, according to U.S. Census data.

New York has the dubious distinction of leading the nation in out-migration of population, Senator Tedisco claims. 

In April 2020, there were more than 20.2 million New Yorkers, that fell to 19.5 million people as of July 2023, a decline of over 631,000 people since the pandemic.

Last year, New York lost a congressional seat and representation in Washington, D.C. due to ongoing population loss compared to other states.

The Empire State could lose three more congressional seats in the 2030 Census if current trends continue, further eroding the state’s influence at the U.S. Capitol, Tedisco warns. 

Senator Tedisco and Assemblyman Santabarbara’s legislation would create the Commission on New York State Out-migration to conduct a year-long research and fact-finding campaign by holding public hearings and interacting with New Yorkers from all walks of life and all corners of the state to get feedback about why people are leaving the state.

The examination of the reasons for the exodus to other states would include, but not be limited to, affordability, housing, economic opportunity, public safety, education, health care, and the climate.

The commission shall consist of 13 members with three appointed by the Governor, three by the Assembly Speaker, three by Temporary President of the Senate, two by Senate Minority Leader, and two by Assembly Minority Leader. No current member of the legislature can sit on the commission and 10 of the 13 commission members must reside in each of the state’s 10 economic development council regions.

Assemblyman Robert Smullen image.