Empire, strike back: High aims to revive New York’s economy
A plan blending high‑speed rail, nuclear energy and governance reform, drawn from a speech by John Avlon, aims to restore growth and affordability in New York.
New York faces a mounting economic challenge as a new public-policy analysis warns the state trails peers in growth and competitiveness, and affordability pressures are fueling debates over taxes and regulation. The Public Policy Institute of New York State noted that New York’s economic performance and population metrics more closely resemble Louisiana or Michigan than Texas or Florida. State and city budgets have more than tripled over the past 25 years, but many residents say they’re not getting more value for their money. The report’s data are used to frame a broader critique of governance and growth strategies in the state.
To rekindle growth, the piece points to high-speed rail as a modern Erie Canal. It envisions a line connecting New York City with Albany, Syracuse, Rochester and Buffalo in under four hours. A recent NYU Marron Institute analysis says the Northeast Corridor could be built for one-tenth of previous estimates if the private sector leads with government incentives. Advocates point to a private-public model similar to Brightline’s approach in Florida as a practical blueprint. Proponents argue such infrastructure could lower the cost of living, improve quality of life and position upstate for growth as climate-change pressures influence migration.
Historically, New York’s entrepreneurial roots were supported by ambitious investments like the Erie Canal. The author notes that the canal was financed with state bonds backed by Wall Street capital and paid for itself within a decade through tolls and economic development. The same spirit informs a push to expand energy infrastructure: a new 1-gigawatt nuclear power plant is highlighted as a starting point for a broader expansion to about 4 gigawatts, potentially including small modular reactors. The plan also calls for repurposing decommissioned upstate coal plants, coupling new generation with smart-grid upgrades to move power downstate, support AI-driven industries and lower monthly energy bills. Advocates contend that even as federal support for wind and solar wanes, nuclear energy remains one of the few bipartisan avenues to energy independence and climate progress, and Gov. Hochul warrants credit for backing the effort.
A new reform era is urged by a Unite New York survey, which finds 84% of New Yorkers support term limits for state legislators and statewide offices. Nearly 60% favor open or nonpartisan primaries, a change that would compel candidates to reach beyond their bases and empower about 3 million independent voters statewide. The proposal would pair with measures to cut overregulation, reduce lawsuit abuse and use AI to speed up government responsiveness for families and business, while aiming to address crime, housing and the cost of living.
New York needs big-goal energy to regain its swagger and become a beacon of economic opportunity and innovation. John Avlon is Citizens Union of New York chairman, and this piece is adapted from a speech he gave at the Economic Club of New York.
