Sunday Opinion: Redistricting, state budget cuts and thanks to Jimmer
Morning, everyone. Here’s a survey of the opinion out there this weekend in the region’s newspapers.
The Watertown Daily Times notes that the North Country’s population “has remained stable over the last decade,” a fact which the paper describes as good news.
The essay also urges lawmakers in Albany to keep control of the political redistricting process over the next year.
Other proposals have been made, but they generally call for the Legislature to cede its responsibility to an unelected commission.
As redistricting talks go forward, the Legislature must retain the authority and the power to make decisions they were sent to Albany to make.
In the Adirondack Daily Enterprise, publisher Catherine Moore raises concerns that budget cuts in Albany could cripple vital institutions like the Adirondack Medical Center.
What if this fragile state budget process resulted in losing these services? Where would we be? Hospitals and nursing homes have taken beatings before, but how will further cuts affect their future?
The Glens Falls Post Star celebrates the remarkable ride enjoyed by hometown favorite Jimmer Fredette, who lifted the BYU Cougars to the Sweet 16 Round of the NCAA basketball tournament.
For the last couple of months, Jimmer Fredette – the big kid from Glens Falls with the hopping jump shot, the big grin and the quirky first name – has been absolutely everywhere.
The Burlington Free Press calls for lawmakers in Vermont to continue the march toward a universal healthcare plan that would one-up Obama care, likely pushing far closer to a single-payer model.
The first principle in the health care reform bill reads: “It is the policy of the state of Vermont to ensure universal access to and coverage for essential health services for all Vermonters.”
That’s a goal worth pursuing.
The Utica Observer Dispatch weighs in with the opinion that the Adirondack Club and Resort project in Tupper Lake is worth keeping an eye on.
The editorial leans heavily on conversations with the Adironack Council — an environmental group — for its understanding of the issue, concluding that New Yorkers should “keep check on Adirondack development.”
What happens in Tupper Lake doesn’t stay in Tupper Lake. It can affect what happens closer to home.
Write the APA and tell the agency to make sure this project is done right.
Finally this morning, the Plattsburgh Press Republican urges lawmakers in Albany to keep their eye on the unpopular prize of shrinking state government, even if that means a lot of howling from the public.
For every difficult decision, someone will be taking them to task, and no one will be applauding them.
Well, here’s some applause in advance. Make those hard decisions with the taxpayers in mind, as much as the people in need of services, the employees and the service providers.
So now it’s your turn. Chime in with thoughts, opinions below.
Nice wrap up from around the region, Brian. Thanks.
Interesting. They are all focused on pretty local stuff.
With what is going on in the middle east you would have figured that we would see some local opinions on not-so-local events. It shows how have some important issues close to home I guess.
Awful editorial by the WDT. If elections are supposed to be conducted by impartial arbiters, why shouldn’t electoral line drawing, which arguably has more influence, be conducted the same way?
where do reps owens and gibson stand on US funding of off-shore oil drilling in brazil? this is a major development that has been ignored.
I hope they’re for funding more offshore drilling in Brazil, an ally in our hemisphere, and less in, say, Libya. Makes more financial sense.