Puerto Rico, IDA tax breaks, and safety in boat races
A house that was washed away by Hurricane Fiona at Villa Esperanza in Salinas, Puerto Rico, on Wednesday. Credit: AP/Alejandro Granadillo
Puerto Rico needs to attain statehood
Hurricane Fiona has shown again the importance of statehood for Puerto Rico [“Puerto Rico’s power warning,” Editorial, Sept. 20].
Its people deserve the ability to advocate for increased assistance combatting storms at the national level as a state, with seats in the U.S. House and Senate.
Congressional representatives would be in a better position to introduce bills that allocate resources toward hardening Puerto Rico’s shores and power system and provide a defense against future storms that will surely come, something that should have been done after Hurricane Maria.
— Joseph Stallone, Centereach
IDAs aren’t helping LI’s working poor
The article “Concerns for LI’s working poor” [News, Sept. 15] said there is a concern that one-third of Long Island working families earn less than $35,000 a year.
Does this have anything to do with the industrial development agencies giving tax breaks to Amazon warehouses, public storage and senior housing? Most of these places pay employees about $25,000 to $35,000 a year before the employees’ health insurance deduction.
This makes one wonder whether those living in new congestive housing here will soon need government assistance.
— Gary Maksym, Massapequa
Some not wearing life vests in races
The dragon boat races look like fun [“Dragons on the water,” Long Island, Sept. 18]. The photo, though, shows that several in the boats did not wear life vests.
Even if you’re a good swimmer, if the boat turns over, it or some oars could hit your head. Being unconscious and underwater would make rescue more difficult.
On the other hand, does not wearing a life vest give a boat an advantage? Lighter weight and less aerodynamic drag? What do I know? I joined the Army, not the Navy.
— Larry Klass, Freeport
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