Letters: Casino studies raise questions; Urge ‘no’ votes on Medicare negotiation

Casino studies raise questions

Regarding proposed casino at the Nittany Mall:

Perhaps CDT journalists or Penn State economists could elaborate for Centre County residents on how to interpret published studies that have investigated the relationship between counties with casinos and metrics such as bankruptcy, crime, larceny, revenue, substance abuse, suicide, violent crime.

Grinols et al, published a study in “The Review of Economics and Statistics,” February 2006 stating: “...(sic) The results suggest that the effect on crime is low shortly after a casino opens, and grows over time. Roughly 8% of crime in casino counties in 1996 was attributable to casinos...”

Dylan Matthews published in the Washington Post on Oct. 30 2012: Excerpted — “Melissa Kearney, an economist at the University of Maryland, released a literature review in 2005 summarizing work on gambling done to date. A study by Maryland’s William Evans and Julie Topoleski that focused on Indian casinos found that they created a significant number of jobs. The ratio of jobs available to adults increased, on average, by 5 percent. This in turn lead to a 2 percent decline in mortality, as residents’ economic conditions improved. But the casinos also lead to a plethora of social ills, including increased substance abuse, mental illness and suicide, violent crime, auto theft and larceny, and bankruptcy. The latter three all increased by 10 percent in communities that allowed gambling.”

Might unused portions of the mall facility be repurposed to provide consolidated work-force training, temporary housing, health services to county residents, displaced Americans and legal refugees experiencing emergencies?

Urge ‘no’ votes on Medicare negotiation

The past several years have brought me a slew of serious medical issues. In addition to receiving treatment for a serious concussion and depression, I also contracted COVID-19. Managing the symptoms and long-term impacts of all these illnesses has been incredibly trying and difficult.

While I certainly wish that my health had been better from the get-go, I am so grateful to the treatments I’ve received. Without access to the medications and therapies provided by my doctors, I know I would be much worse off.

That’s why I oppose Congress’s current attempts to “negotiate” Medicare. Under this measure, access to the latest and greatest treatments could be inhibited. My battle with COVID and depression reshaped my understanding of the importance of receiving high quality care in a timely manner. We cannot afford to limit patient access to the medications and cures that help them live their lives with dignity.

I urge Pennsylvania’s Congressional members and Senators to think of COVID survivors, people struggling with their mental health, and people with living with chronic illness, and vote no on Medicare negotiation.

Franklin needs reminder that results matter

Now that he has Penn State’s 10-year, $75 million commitment and has lost his mainstay, the worthy Brent Pry, it is time someone reminded James Franklin that results matter. Especially if one aspires to “elite,” a word that came out of his own mouth. He may be a great salesman as in recruiting, but his actual coaching skills are questionable. A number of his in-game calls and decisions are glaring mistakes. And one wonders how the same mental mistakes like pass interference and false starts kept occurring, usually to a bad end. Shouldn’t practice eliminate or substantially curtail such miscues?

It has been a joy watching the sure handed, dedicated, disciplined Jahan Dotson play this year. Considering his humble and focused attitude, backed up by outstanding production, he might make a fine Penn State coach himself some day after a hopefully long and successful pro career. What is troubling however is watching so much talent on the roster being squandered.

Talk is cheap and Franklin, like most coaches, has his own litany of phrases. Transparency is not his long suit. No later than next season he needs live up to his own supposed standards. We are indeed Penn State and 11-10 over two seasons isn’t us. Nor should it be.