Rachel Silberstein is reporting for Capitol Confidential as Democrats prepare to take control of the state Senate, upstate secessionists are using the moment to bolster support for their idea of a two- or three-part state. Divide NYS is a group critical of what it perceives as a downstate-focused state government. It is asking its supporters to press local town and county officials to sign a resolution in favor of creating the autonomous region “New Amsterdam.” Critics have questioned the economic viability of an upstate New York that is separated from New York City. The secessionist movement in New York remains fairly small, but it has picked up steam over the possibility of certain legislation, like various gun control measures, and New York’s fracking ban. Read the full story at Capitol Confidential.