Opinion

Under Gov. Cuomo’s rein

The Issue: Gov. Cuomo’s move to put the New York Racing Association temporarily under state control.

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Our governor is demonstrating the traits of his father: Mario Cuomo also had virtual disdain for horse racing and its storied traditions (“The Cuomo Stakes,” Editorial, May 23).

Paternal misgivings notwithstanding, this Gov. Cuomo has seemingly engineered a powerful attempt to portray the New York Racing Association as some sort of parasitic drain. In fact, the revenue from racing and the employment numbers mightily contradict that.

In private industry, when a CEO has to be removed, you try to hire an able replacement to move forward, increase profits and right the ship.

Cuomo and his minions are trying to generate public ill will by conspiring for long-term political gain and a wholesale takeover by the state.

Remember what President Ronald Reagan said: “The most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government, and I’m here to help.’”

Kay Star

Manhattan

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Bravo, Cuomo. You have performed the herculean task of cleaning out the stables at NYRA.

Legislators and the governor have now put NYRA racetracks on the path to honest management, profitability and safety for horses and riders.

They will also have a hand in preserving more than 30,000 equine-industry-related jobs throughout the state.

Off-Track Betting in New York helped eliminate organized crime in horse racing, and employees were regulated by the state Taylor Law since 1971 as they raised money for state and local governments.

A moral obligation to restore OTB retiree health benefits exists, and New York should pay its share.

Jim Organ

Yorktown Heights