State's failed environmental bill, rescuing Social Security, careless drivers

Failed environmental bill is a loss for us all

As the legislative session drew to a close this month, the state lost a crucial opportunity to pass several impactful environmental laws “Environmental bill doomed by late lobbying,” News, June 22].

These bills would have enacted measures to reduce plastic pollution and decrease exposure to PFAS “forever chemicals” and other toxic chemicals found in packaging, personal care products, and everyday household items.

They had popular support from everyday New Yorkers, passed the Senate, and had the votes to pass the Assembly. And yet, Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie would not bring these bills to a vote. The chemical, plastics, and packaging industries spent over $2 million lobbying against these bills.

At a time when the Trump administration is gutting environmental and public health protections, we need our state leaders to take bold steps to address the climate crisis and protect our environment and health. Our children and grandchildren’s futures depend upon the actions we take now.

We cannot forget that we are stewards of Earth and must stand as protectors for all nature that we share with this planet.

— Jennifer Vogt, East Northport

The environmental bill would have required the manufacturers of plastic packaging to be responsible stewards of their products. The bill would have been a tremendous win, particularly for Long Islanders, where a significantly costly budget item for municipalities is the collection and disposal of trash.

All municipalities are required to have programs for separate collections of trash and recyclables. However, many plastic items have no value or cannot be effectively reused because manufacturers package their products using their most profitable methods and materials for their stockholders and their bottom line. It is then left to the taxpayers to spend more money to deal with ineffective and expensive recycling programs — or burying or burning the plastic products.

The legislation would have required the manufacturers to accept responsibility for their product’s disposal or constructive reuse. It is disappointing that select Albany representatives chose to side with well-funded lobbyists in a rare legislative bipartisan action that would benefit every New Yorker.

— Phil Healey, Massapequa

The writer is Lynbrook’s superintendent of public works.

President Donald Trump has made no secret of his disdain for former President Joe Biden and his actions, but with his rollback of Biden’s clean energy investments, Trump will make the world a hotter place. That doesn’t mean that Gov. Kathy Hochul should pause her commitment to a less polluted New York [“LI may have to rethink how it gets power,” News, June 22].

Hochul has proven her mettle by getting Empire Wind back in action after being halted by Trump. She doesn’t have to provide a quid pro quo by supporting the Williams Constitution or NESE pipelines, already rejected for their deleterious environmental effects. Propel NY can bring us clean, cheap upstate solar power, too.

Our congressional representatives are fighting for clean energy jobs and investment “LI reps: Save energy credits,” News, June 22]. Let’s hope the next president does the same. There’s no reason to jump into reviving gas plants.

— Bridget Nixdorf, Islip Terrace

Tweak Social Security now — or pay later

As a senior who paid into Social Security for 53 years, deferring benefits until retiring at 70, I see the continued projections of the fund shortfall less than 10 years from now as disturbing, to say the least [“Social Security, Medicare forecast for going broke moved up,” News, June 19].

Consider who funds the retirement portion of Social Security benefits. It is funded entirely by employee and employer contributions, not the government. So I see no reason that action cannot be taken now to prevent the upcoming predicted shortfall.

AARP listed several “tweaks” that would keep full benefits payable for the foreseeable future. Minor changes now could diminish the need for major unpopular changes later.

— Michael J. Genzale, Shoreham

Fault lies with drivers more than LI roads

I couldn’t help thinking how much fault actually lies with the roads themselves [“Crash data reveals dangerous LI crossroads,” News, June 22]. Roads don’t cause injuries and fatalities — people do.

I concede that better planning and newer crosswalk technology could help make these roads safer, but driver awareness and safety play an important role. It seems that now, more than ever, people are in a hurry and common courtesy is lacking.

Newsday reports seemingly daily on traffic accidents. One only needs to get behind the wheel of a car to realize the dangers of driving on Long Island. A driver education course should be mandatory for every first-time driver’s license applicant. Slow down, be aware, and be courteous.

— Charles J. Brown, Levittown