Opinion

Senate: Pass the pork, please

The Issue: The state Senate’s focus on pork-barrel spending as a top priority for this legislative session.

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Too many members view the funding of member-item pork-barrel projects as a path to grease the wheels of reelection or run for higher public office (“Back to the Trough,” Editorial, Jan. 12).

Both Sen. Dean Skelos and Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver use this tool to keep their respective loyal flocks in line. Vote as directed by the leadership, and you will receive your share of this pot of gold.

It is common knowledge about the quid pro quo between those seeking funding and members of the Legislature.

It is time to permanently end pork-barrel, member-item spending once and for all.

Larry Penner

Great Neck

The Post’s editorial concerning pork in the state Senate does not surprise me at all. It is business as usual for Skelos and his cohorts.

How about really helping the middle class in New York and farm families upstate by getting rid of the insanely high estate tax? It is an unfair double tax that hurts children and grandchildren and is one of the main causes for people leaving New York for less-taxed states.

Either get rid of it, like Florida, or increase the exemption from $1 million to $5 million, as per federal law. A $1 million exemption in New York is too low and hurts middle-class families with a house or a farm and a job. Many states have higher exemptions.

Sheldon Hyman

Oceanside