Sunday Opinion: Questions about casinos, insurance companies and gas taxes
Morning, folks. This marks the official return of Sunday Opinion. A bit of a hodge-podge today. The Adirondack Daily Enterprise argues this weekend that there is real need for more tax revenue to maintain the North Country’s crumbling roads and bridges.
Gov. Cuomo and congressional Republicans are adamantly opposed to any tax increase right now, but think about this: Gas taxes, when used to pay for road infrastructure, are just about the fairest taxes there are.
The people who use the service pay for it, and proportionally. Tractor-trailers wear out interstates faster than sedans and also have to pay more in fuel taxes.
The Watertown Daily Times opines that consumer anxiety might just contribute to the second dip of this painful recession.
Unemployment remains persistently high. Job prospects are bleak. Despite what the Fed might do, Americans will be hesitant to buy that new flat-screen television or computer or take out a mortgage if they’re worried about having a job tomorrow.
The Glens Falls Post Star ponders what a casino might actually mean for the North Country, if Governor Cuomo’s plan to legalize gambling goes through.
And wouldn’t our region be absolutely perfect for it? The mayor of Lake George envisions putting a big casino at the top of Prospect Mountain, complete with a revolving restaurant with 360-degree views of Lake George and the Adirondacks. At night, its pulsating glow would be visible for miles, drawing gamblers and their money like moths to a flame.
But putting aside, for a second, the sickening thought of this neon catastrophe ruining one of the best views in four states, it would be foolish not to at least consider how a casino would help the region’s economy … and how it could hurt it.
Clearly, private health insurers can play an important role in making our health care more effective. Health insurers that are working to improve health care through programs such as patient-centered medical homes deserve to be part of our health care system.
Insurers that use their power to force primary care providers to accept lower payments and skinny down their service are not holding down costs, nor are they improving care.
They’re simply lining their pockets.
Last week, one of my patients told me that he felt like his world is coming apart because he is an Aetna subscriber and we are dropping him. It turns out that he is paying $1,000 per month for coverage. We are now helping him find another option.
Tags: opinion
Gas taxes only pay for about 60% of road construction and maintenance but motor vehicles cause at least 99% of wear and tear on roads. As someone who doesn’t drive, I support raising the gas taxes so those free-loading drivers can stop mooching off my taxes.
I find myself agreeing with most of the editorials – to an extent – but would like to know if the mayor of Lake George is smoking weed.
As someone who drives, I agree with Brian.
Higher gas taxes make sense for a whole variety of reasons. Given what the costs of driving really are the price of gas is too low.
I am sure there are studies, but what has been the experience around the nation of rural areas and unique wilderness areas that have legalized casino gambling? In the long run what has happened?
It seems to me that if big time casino gambling was legalized in New York State, places like Long Island, the Hudson Valley, the Catskills would clean up. I am not sure why people would drive up here to gamble? So then you end up with largely local people gambling and I do not know if that is healthy for a community?
True Mervel,
The first casino would be built either at Jones Beach by Donald “how do you like my hair” Trump, or by the newly recognized Shinnecock Tribe at their Reservation in South Hampton, both locations on Long Island, and both already controversial locations.
Trump wants a basement kitchen on the oceanfront location, below Fema designated flood level for habitable space, and the Shinnecocks Tribal land is too close for comfort of the uber-rich in the Hamptons.
Should be a good show all around.
…. of course these are only my predictions….
I still think topless bars in every town would attract more snowmobilers even if it doesn’t snow.
Saw some pole dancing on one of the Sunday news programs today and couldn’t help but thinking this is both an art form and a gymnastic sport that deserves to be in the Olympics.
Pete,
we may have to settle for women’s beach volleyball on T.V. during the Brasil summer Olympics.. ;-)
I think a gas tax is a fine idea for a number of reasons.
Casinos…hadn’t thought of that for the Park. I’ve never had much interest in them personally. But I’ve been in other places where smaller casinos are a pretty tame part of the landscape. There is a market for this sort of visitor and it may well suit Lake George,or LP or even Saranac Lake (can an old prison site be used for this?). We have to do something to come up with jobs when the tax cap really begins to shrink government employment. But please hold off on the flashing neon.
Would it be a joke to suggest putting one in a really remote town in Hamilton County? It’s sort of like an Indian Reservation. Some casino owners like putting them in places where there is nothing else to do. It could have stick furniture and the whole ADK design thing. :)