Buffalo got a portion of its "billion-dollar" handout on Tuesday from New York state. But nothing discussed during the governor's appearance in the once proud Queen City will reverse the direction the entity is moving.
Why? Because the billion dollars will not change anything as long as the city - and region - continue its devastating, high taxing ways.
Just who is the largest employer in the city of Buffalo? Public entities, such as the state, city, its school district and federal government.
Big companies have moved out of Western New York - and continue to do so - due to the heavy tax burden of runaway government spending from too many entities wanting more cash to fund their dwindling empires.
The state's life preserver for the city is a big mistake. It is just a large pot of money that would be just as well thrown into Lake Erie.
If the problem of abundant, overlapping government and school districts with big payrolls, benefits and pensions continues to exist, then our region's unfriendly business culture remains the same.
Albany and local leaders could mandate an overhaul of the 19th century system. But they won't.
It is easier to flash $1 billion from a cash-strapped state for TV cameras and residents to see immediately than to provide leadership and a way for the future.
