Overview
- State Sen. Andrew Lanza said he will reintroduce long-stalled legislation in January to allow Staten Island to leave New York City.
- Assemblyman Sam Pirozzolo staged a rally reading a “Staten Island Independence Declaration” at the historic Rose and Crown Tavern site.
- City Councilman Frank Morano is drafting a measure directing the city to conduct a neutral cost-benefit study of independence, citing potential tax and service costs.
- Any breakup requires action by Albany, where a 1993 secession push stalled despite 65% local support when Speaker Sheldon Silver refused a home‑rule message.
- With about 500,000 residents, Staten Island would be New York State’s second-largest city if independent, and Lanza says his bill would not require City Council approval or a citywide vote.