Letters: Casino is a test, not a solution; Voters deserve full list of campaign contributions
Casino is a test, not a solution
State College has a new casino. Casinos bring promises of jobs, tax revenue, tourism and community renewal. For towns hollowed out by the decline of manufacturing, a casino can provide real benefits. Construction and service jobs emerge, local governments collect gaming taxes, and visitors may bring business to nearby hotels, restaurants and shops. Just as important, casinos can lift civic morale by sparking the impression of growing local investments.
But the gains are often temporary. Many casino jobs are low-wage with limited mobility. Tax revenues may plateau. What appears to be new growth can reshuffle existing demand.
Years ago I was a consultant to the Singapore government. At the time I asked the Minister of Tourism if casinos had been considered. He said casinos increased prostitution and other social problems. But years later, Singapore was driven out of necessity to open a casino.
The social costs can be significant. Greater access to gambling correlates with higher rates of addiction — and brings financial strain, family stress, and potential links to crime. Often money spent on casinos are not spent on small businesses.
Casinos can provide stability and fund public goods. Communities that succeed treat casinos as one tool among many. A casino is less a solution than a test: whether leaders weigh, with clear eyes, short-term gains against long-term consequences.
William J. Rothwell, State College
Voters deserve full list of campaign contributions
Recently the CDT reported campaign fundraising in the 15th U.S. House District. That report indicated that I contributed $500 to the campaign of Ray Bilger. That’s a true, accurate accounting. Modern campaign laws require public disclosure of direct gifts to campaigns. I applaud those disclosures. The CDT chose to list only a small fraction of donations to both campaigns. I believe this selective editing on the part of the CDT can give a warped impression of where funds are coming from. A full listing of all contributions, would be more open and honest on the CDT’s part — or at least a link provided to the entire list.
I am a proud contributor to the campaign of Ray Bilger. Ray will work to make everyday life more affordable for those in the 15th district. Thompson has done nothing to help stop rising costs. Instead, he has backed the unconstitutionally declared Trump tariffs and Trump’s war with Iran. Both are causing costs to skyrocket. Ray Bilger will work to keep healthcare affordable and accessible, especially in rural areas of the district. GT votes to cut programs like Medicaid. While GT votes more money for ICE, Ray Bilger stands to protect our immigrant communities. Ray works to protect family farms. What is GT doing? Nothing helpful. Yes, I am a proud contributor to Ray Bilger’s campaign. It would benefit the residents of the 15th if we could be provided with where GT gets his million-dollar war chest. Can the CDT do that?
Evan Myers, State College. The author is the president of the State College Borough Council.
Protect Addison Court residents’ homes
This morning the sunlight reached halfway across the wall in my rooms to say “spring advances” as it has the whole 28 years of my residence in Addison Court at dawn.
I wish the potential buyer of the building would see this light that strikes here now before, for profit, he tears the building down.
For from here, as I have all these 28 years walked the two blocks to The Corner Room and said to the waitress, “the coffee is good” — which is to wish the town and world well this new day.
I ask the borough government to see this with me and protect me and my fellow residents’ home here — our benediction helps the world.
John Harris, State College