Reed Merinuk writes that city officials and the Assembly speaker stand in the way of solving the fiscal woes.
To the Editor:
As we witness the situation in Atlantic City unfold, it's remarkable that the city has lost more than two-thirds of its tax ratable base, but still has not substantially cut the size of its government.
As unfortunate as it is that so many casinos closed, it's disappointing to see how little the city's leaders have done to adapt to these changes. It's past time for those in charge of Atlantic City to face the reality of the situation. To force the rest of the state and its taxpayers to shoulder the costs of their government excesses is unfair and untenable. New Jersey's taxpayers should not have to bail out Atlantic City on an annual basis.
For almost two years, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) has been offering proposals to fix Atlantic City, help streamline its government and end repeated tax appeals based on reduced property values.
Mayor Don Guardian and the city council have not cooperated to make this work, and the city is facing bankruptcy. Meanwhile, other figures have emerged out of the woodwork to manipulate the crisis to benefit themselves politically.
Until recently, state Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto (D-Hudson) hadn't helped find a solution and didn't say much of anything about this issue. Now (in sponsoring legislation that differs from Sweeney's), he suddenly has an opinion about how things should be done and refuses to compromise.
Mayor Guardian originally supported Sweeney's state takeover legislation before changing his mind. These haphazard responses have only exacerbated the situation.
There is no easy solution, but Sweeney's is the best one. For everybody's sake, the others should end the politics and support Sweeney's plan so Atlantic City can finally move forward.
Reed Merinuk
Woodbury
Trump's the only choice for our economy
To the Editor:
I have watched all the candidates for president and listened to how they would solve our national and international problems if elected. I have come to the conclusion that Donald Trump has most of the answers.
In looking at the Democrat contenders, all I see is more of the same: continue the welfare state expansion, no real solutions to our economic problems except more taxes, no talk about reducing the national debt.
To me, job creation, is the most important problem. I think Trump will solve it by reducing taxes. Also, he wants trillions of dollars in American corporate profits to be reinvested here instead of being held in other countries. This would bring jobs back and help create new technology for our future development.
We should also reduce regulation on small businesses, reduce the cost of education via community colleges, and put welfare recipients to work or stop paying them benefits.
Yes, illegal immigration has to be stopped. Criminals from other nations should be sent to jail and/or deported when they first when commit crimes here. Also, cut federal aid to cities that give them refuge.
Democrats promise to continue the failed policies of President Barack Obama with more deterioration of our society, our industries and our military.
Luis M. Perez
Glassboro
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