Up on the Board: Carlos Danger distracts, Nassau contract reform, menthol cigs
New York City mayoral candidate Anthony Weiner leaves his apartment building in Manhattan. (July 24, 2013) Credit: AP
The editorial board thinks Anthony Weiner’s candidacy for New York City mayor is so distracting that other, more important issues are sliding to the wayside – for example, the New York City Housing Authority’s poor performance and an annual report today on the city budget.
We’re also concerned about the long-running battle at the Nassau County Legislature over borrowing. This time, the legislature has approved only about one-third of what it needs to repair and fortify the county’s aging sewer system. Democrats blocked the borrowing to try to force concessions on how the county awards contracts. With recent contract scandals dogging Nassau, we think reform is needed.
Finally, the FDA would be ill-advised to move forward with a ban on menthol cigarettes. The agency banned flavored cigarettes years ago, with the idea that they appeal to younger smokers, but menthol was excepted. Now, Indonesia has won a ruling by the World Trade Organization saying that the U.S. should also allow clove cigarettes. However, banning menthol cigarettes would be the wrong reaction to this ruling.
To voice an opinion on any of the above, please fill in a comment in the section below, or email letters@newsday.com.
Up on the Board is the editorial board's blog about what we just discussed at our weekday morning meeting. These meetings are where we talk about the news of the day and hash out our positions for the opinion sections of Newsday and amNew York.
