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Stadium tax absurd; those who favor shouldn’t be re-elected
It is completely unfathomable to me that there is any elected official in Charlotte-Mecklenburg who would increase any tax whatsoever just so Panthers owner Jerry Richardson can earn more money.
Those wanting to run for local office should take note of this absurdity and use it to run against those who’ve shown they’re not good stewards of public funds.
Bill Munson
Charlotte
Let Richardson pay, and stop putting private enterprise first
I’d like to remind city, state and national elected officials that they are “representatives of the people,” not private business.
Jerry Richardson had many very profitable years to set aside a great amount of money for “future rehab” that would need to be done for his stadium.
At this point, a tax of any kind should be applied to help our servicemen, police officers, firefighters, health care workers, teachers, and all of our charities that help the needy.
If we pay an extra tax on food, then give it to the needy waitress who may be the only support for two or three children.
Take care of the people before any private enterprises!
Fred G. Dalton
Fort Mill, S.C.
In response to “Airport authority bill hurtles ahead” (Feb. 21) and related articles:
Don’t let Charlotte airport become a political pawn
We in Charlotte did not support Pat McCrory’s election to governor only to witness his allowing “Billboard Bob” to ramrod a state takeover of Charlotte Douglas International Airport.
McCrory’s many years of leadership in Charlotte surely showed him that the airport is successful, popular with airlines and a proven economic engine for job growth in the Piedmont.
Surely McCrory must foresee that under an outside board – mostly comprised of political appointees – our valuable, well-run airport will become a pawn in political wheeling and dealing by politicians from Murphy to Manteo.
In these fast-changing times perhaps the present management structure could use some revision, but Gov. McCrory, please don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater!
Nothing good for Charlotte can come from this scheme.
John Walsh
Charlotte
In response to “Actions belie State of State speech rhetoric” (Feb. 20 Editorial) and related articles:
Way I look at it, expanding Medicaid makes fiscal sense
Starting in 2014, Obamacare would give North Carolina 100 percent funding for additional Medicaid subscribers for three years.
The fourth year and every year after the state would receive federal taxpayer money of $9 for every $1 N.C. taxpayers spend.
This new money will reduce expensive emergency room care and add health care for about 500,000 N.C. citizens.
From a business investment standpoint – as all public funding should be decided – if I invest $1 and I receive $9 in return, it’s a no brainer.
I’m a conservative through and through, and believe in small government, but to turn down this funding not only doesn’t make business sense it hurts people who need our help.
Joseph T. Zeoli
Charlotte
Obama echoed same message McCrory sent on education
In his State of the Union message President Obama said exactly what Gov. Pat McCrory told us a few weeks ago – that students should take courses leading to a job.
Obama said we should “redesign America’s high schools so they better equip graduates for the demands of a high-tech economy. And we’ll reward schools that ... create classes that focus on science, technology, engineering and math – the skills today’s employers are looking for to fill the jobs that are there right now and will be there in the future.”
He called his program Careers in Technology Education. As he spoke, I thought I was hearing Gov. McCrory!
Robert D. Hoagland
Charlotte
Gas prices being ignored on both sides of aisle; it must end
While the legislative and executive branches of government have engaged in lively debates about spending cuts and tax increases, both have remained virtually silent on one issue that affects the pocketbooks of most Americans – gasoline prices.
When President Obama took office in 2008, the average price of a gallon of regular gasoline was between $1.79- $1.89. Today in North Carolina, AAA says we are paying an average of $3.75 for that same gallon – an increase of approximately 100 percent.
While the cost of gasoline has spiraled upward, our president and members of Congress have done little except lament this rise. I urge readers to write their federal representatives and ask them to deal with this problem.
John N. Mangieri
Charlotte
Let police train volunteers to help prevent these shootings
I am concerned about the number of innocent children and adults being shot. We need to come up with a way of protecting these people at little to no cost to the taxpayers.
We have many people who would volunteer their time to do this type of service in our schools. I, for one, am retired and would deem it an honor to serve in this kind of setting.
We could put people in every school or any other area needing protection. Either the sheriff’s department or Charlotte-Mecklenburg police could offer training for such volunteers.
Why can’t this be done?
Clarence Darnell
Charlotte
