Letter: Raising wages will hurt young

Neither New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio nor the City Council has the authority to mandate changes in the minimum wage .

Also, as economist Thomas Sowell warned in 2008, minimum-wage laws "lead to chronically higher rates of unemployment in general and longer periods of unemployment . . . especially among younger, less experienced, less skilled . . . [and] minority workers."

Joseph N. Manago, Briarwood

Support funding for after-school care

Students need places to go after school where they can be safe and productively engaged while parents are working. An estimated 1.1 million students in the state, including young people in Nassau and Suffolk, do not have programs available.

We have an opportunity to address this problem in the state budget. The state now provides $57.4 million for after-school programs. Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo has proposed to add $160 million starting in 2015-16, allowing 100,000 more students to have access to programs.

Such programs will help close the achievement gap for low-income students and support the development of skills needed for long-term success in the workplace and in life. New York's working families deserve nothing less.

Nora Niedzielski-Eichner, Manhattan

Editor's note: The writer is executive director of the New York State Afterschool Network, a nonprofit agency serving agencies across the state, including on Long Island.

Pipeline progress is wrong direction

I have many family members who have served this country's military, and I am proud of them, but not so much of this country anymore. We must stop the planet-killing Keystone XL pipeline ["Judge blocks pipeline route," News, Feb. 20].

Why has it taken so long for us to catch up on development of hybrid cars? Where are the leaders to take us in a new direction that could save the planet and create jobs and excitement for new technology? Why are we so far down in the rankings for health care and education? Why are we so caught up in serving the needs of corporations instead of the people?

Laura Matturro, Smithtown

Actor's paper bag is folly or genius

Shia LaBeouf is either an idiot or a genius! ["Dissecting Shia," News, Feb. 21]

If he thinks putting a paper bag over his head with the words "I am not famous anymore" won't attract attention, then he's an idiot. Is this a publicity stunt or protest? I'm sure there are plenty of people who would take LaBeouf's fame and money and be quite happy!

Bena Halloran, North Babylon

Heroin focus lets insurers off hook

Newsday's recent stories on heroin fail to highlight the glaring omission in the addiction equation ["A heroin hotbed," News, Feb. 16].

Insurance companies routinely deny access to life-altering treatment such as detoxification, inpatient rehabilitation and a sufficient number of outpatient sessions.

We must act immediately to build solutions by shifting decisions regarding the need for treatment, type of care and duration to addiction-treatment professionals on the front lines. Leaving these decisions to dollar-driven insurers over the years has frequently ended in disastrous results, including scores of avoidable deaths. Removing someone from the addiction environment to an inpatient setting is a best practice and offers the person a chance at a solid foundation on which to build a sustained and meaningful recovery.

In addition, Long Island is in desperate need of a recovery center where peers in long-term recovery can work with and mentor those just leaving treatment. This could help prevent relapse and save lives and vital resources by reducing criminal justice, social service and health care costs.

Richard Buckman, Dix Hills

Editor's note: The writer is the president of the Long Island Recovery Association, a grassroots advocacy organization based in Franklin Square.

Plainview housing could revive village

Regarding "Housing project wrong for Plainview" [Letters, Feb. 19], I disagree. The proposed Country Pointe at Plainview project will be beautiful, with ponds and walking paths and improved ballfields for the community.

I spoke in favor of the proposal, along with representatives of the Plainview-Old Bethpage school board, the soccer club and the Jewish Community Center. My husband and I have lived in Plainview for more than 50 years, and we have devoted time and energy to projects benefiting the residents and the town.

Yes, there were speakers from other areas; perhaps they would like to move to Country Pointe or have their parents move there.

We love Plainview-Old Bethpage, but it is not beautiful. It is a village of houses and strip malls. An influx of young families would give a shot in the arm to the growth that is needed to avoid having our beloved village fade away into obscurity.

Marsha Elowsky, Plainview