Don't count on casinos for meaningful tax relief

So it had been less than a week, and the state was already declaring slot machines an economic victory, huh?

The opening of an Erie-area casino included some impressive receipts, to be sure. While taking in more than $800,000 in gross revenue from player losses in one day is a great haul ("You've Got to Play to Win, So They Do," March 2), slots are supposed to serve the purpose of property tax reduction.

We should be concerned about the small print. The PG article on the Presque Isle casino opening explained that "$445,167 is to be allocated, under the 2004 slots legislation, to state-mandated purposes, including property tax reduction, economic development and boosts to the horse racing industry." Yet the vagaries of the term "economic development" combined with the political ambitions of state legislators is a recipe for disaster. Will a large portion of the slots money be allocated, pork-style, to districts that don't actually need the cash?

Worse, the inherent inefficiencies of Harrisburg threaten even the fattest cash cow. With so much of the slots profits going to government, will casinos have the motivation to innovate once Ohio and other states inevitably expand gambling to create new revenues?

My guess is that much of the slots profits will be wasted in the bureaucratic bumbling. The casinos probably will generate a lot of money, but will homeowners get meaningful tax relief? Don't bet on it.

JASON REEHER
Grove City

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Jail not the answer

The recent findings by the Rand Corp. on the fiscal impact of the Allegheny County Mental Health Court ("Alternatives to Jail Touted for Mentally Ill Offenders," March 2) are certainly good news.

This study, the first of its kind, demonstrated that it is cheaper to provide the mentally ill with treatment than to send them to jail. Other studies suggest that directing people with mental illness into closely monitored and strictly enforced treatment, instead of prison, works because the root cause of the individual's anti-social behavior, their mental illness, is cost-effectively addressed and recidivism rates decline.

People with mental illnesses already face enormous challenges. Adding a criminal record only makes it more difficult for them to re-enter society and become productive citizens. Diversion programs, such as a mental health court, make sense beyond the cost savings. Crime rates are lowered, money is saved and individuals with mental illness are often spared terrible suffering and can become contributing, taxpaying members of society.

I hope the success of the mental health court, which the Staunton Farm Foundation helped to fund at its inception along with this Rand study, is replicated throughout the state. Keeping people out of jail is in everyone's best interests.

JONI SCHWAGER
Executive Director
Staunton Farm Foundation
Downtown

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Overhauling transit

I am a retired Pittsburgh senior who has lived in Oakland for more than 30 years, using the Port Authority almost exclusively. Over the years, I have spoken to Port Authority drivers and viewed passenger and traffic patterns to formulate the following suggestions for increasing revenue and improving service:

First, a major dedicated source of revenue must be found.

Have a flat $2.25 fare for Zones 1 and 2 and 50 cents additional for Zone 3.

Transfers and special reduced transit fares should be $1.

Eliminate the free Downtown zone. Charge $1.

Seniors should pay $1 with a senior pass, no time restraints, and children, $1 (toddlers to age 12.)

Pay when you enter at all times, enter front door only, exit back door only. (Phase in buses with spring-loaded back doors to prevent entering). Have a concerted effort by the Port Authority to communicate the policy of "having fare ready before entering." This may discourage passengers who pretend they can't find their pass or fare.

Phase in 25 passenger minibuses on less-traveled routes.

Solicit more paid ads for inside and outside buses.

Relocate the agency's headquarters back to the building owned in Manchester.

Obtain financial concessions from union and management.

Obtain additional financial support from universities and schools for student passes. Eliminate the practice of issuing passes with extended expiration dates.

JIM LONGO
Oakland

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Weather wimpiness

Why were the Pittsburgh Public Schools closed on Wednesday? Was it because of that dusting of snow?

There was less than an inch in my neighborhood! I was out driving at 9 a.m., and the roads were OK. All I had to do was take the corners a little more slowly than usual, and it went fine. So little snow is no reason to close the schools. Doing so causes more problems than it solves ("Late School Closings Flunked by Parents," March 8).

Do we want our kids to grow up to be resilient and adaptable, or do we want them to be wimps who cower when white flakes fall from the sky?

PAUL HECKBERT
Edgewood

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In praise of police

On March 2, there was a protest at Carnegie Mellon University's National Robotics Engineering Center, which lasted for hours ("Anti-War Demonstration at CMU Facility Ends in 14 Arrests," March 3).

During this time the police personnel, and especially their chief negotiator, behaved in a very professional manner, responding to the protesters' nonviolent action with equal nonviolence.

As a bystander that day, I think they are to be commended. They obviously train for these situations and that training showed. The police, and the city of Pittsburgh, can be proud of their deportment that day.

DAVE CARR
Point Breeze

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Positive forces

Oprah Winfrey hardly needs me to defend her or her recent program, "The Secret." She is a genuine force for good, and her amazing life is in itself a testament to the power of positive thinking.

Maureen Dowd's persistent drumbeat of negativity and people bashing, on the other hand, is counterproductive in the struggle to achieve peace ("A Giant Doom Magnet," Feb. 19 column).

Our thoughts have consequences. You cannot help the world by focusing on the negative. Give your powerful thoughts to what is wanted. If you want peace, think peace, create peace.

Mother Teresa once said, "I will never attend an anti-war rally. If you have a peace rally, invite me." She got it and, oh, how she demonstrated it to the world.

PAT DOWNEY
Squirrel Hill

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Talented PG staff

The Post-Gazette is fortunate to have many gifted photographers and illustrators.

To mention a few: The March 7 photos by Robin Rombach ("It Came from Below" on the front page) and by Bob Donaldson ("Inspiring Images" on Page B-1) are beautiful.

I also enjoy the work of your illustrators Daniel Marsula and Stacy Innerst. I hope everyone who reads the Post-Gazette takes note of our local talent.

PEG CAMMARATA
North Side

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Coulter's remarks illustrate dangerous indifference

Ann Coulter's recent reference to Democratic presidential candidate John Edwards as a "faggot" is symptomatic of the illness of indifference that is quickly numbing our collective consciousness.

Ms. Coulter's supporters wax eloquently about how we should "lighten up -- she was only joking." They spew misdirection about how "other, more important people have said much worse." The problem is that this is exactly how the illness of indifference slyly creeps up on us.

That harmless little racial joke, that innocent sexual stereotype, that silly political epithet slowly numb us until discrimination, harassment and violence become commonplace, indeed socially acceptable.

One need only open up any American history textbook to be reminded of how the illness of indifference has had horrific consequences for countless individuals.

KEITH G. KONDRICH
Swisshelm Park

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