Central New York may be better than many other regions of the state, but people still don't like New York for many reasons. One state next door wants to pay you to high tail it out.
I know hearing the word free and New York in the same sentence is jarring. But this is a truly free thing and also prevents you from potentially getting a ticket.
If you're like me, you probably are thinking, "Drought? In Spring when it's raining?". I was stunned to learn we are suffering a drought, but it makes sense.