Late last week, the New York State Association of Counties went into full whine mode again. In a news release marking the 50th anniversary of Medicaid, association Executive Director Stephen J. Acquario let it be known he believes the state is still unfair to its counties.

“When the program was created in 1965, New York state shifted half of the non-federal share to county governments – we were the only state in the nation that did this. The amount of local contributions that first year was $180 million,” he said. “Today the cost to local taxpayers is over $7.6 billion. Counties in New York are required to spend more than all of the remaining counties in the nation combined.”

Of course in the ’60s, the landscape of New York – particularly upstate – was very different. Buffalo and Rochester were Top 50 U.S. cities in populations and industries across the region had not yet begun their flight.

But high-taxing ways of cities, villages, towns, schools, counties and the state later led to a recession and exodus of business that upstate continues to battle. A portion of those taxes has to do with Medicaid, but the need for federal program that helps with medical costs for people with limited income and resources has grown due to the higher poverty in upstate.

While upstate floundered, New York City grew. It is the financial capital of the world and its economic engine supports the rest of the state.

Bumbling counties in this state still have not done enough to be leaner and more efficient, with the exception of Tompkins County in the Ithaca area, which currently is thriving. Placing blame on the state gives counties across the state an easy excuse.

Those who have decided to be a part of county government – through election or as an employee – are there to be a part of a local solution.

Whining about your plight only blurs the situation for those you serve.