Buffalo News Editorials
Support Catholic Charities
There’s a lot of speculation as to whether one of the worst recessions in recent
memory is subsiding. But even without a clear answer, one thing is certain: The need for
services, and for the charitable giving to provide them, is as critical as ever. (Updated: 03/20/10 4:31 PM )
Where we stand . . .
Over the last week, the editorial board of The Buffalo News met with policy-makers and leaders and researched, analyzed and debated issues affecting this community. Here’s a summary of the week’s editorials: (Updated: 03/21/10 6:40 AM )
Forcing health care reform
With Democrats on the verge of pushing a $940 billion health care reform measure through
Congress and toward the desk of President Obama, under a self-imposed deadline, the major
issue for health care in America remains unsolved. Insurance coverage will expand … and so,
probably, will health care costs, already a sixth of the American economy. (Updated: 03/20/10 7:40 AM )
It seems to us . . .
FOLLOW THE MONEY: America’s pharmaceutical industry wants to prescribe the current version of health care reform legislation, and apparently doesn’t mind paying for it. Although there have been denials, it has been reported that “Big Pharm” is spending $12 million on pro-bill advertising. (Updated: 03/20/10 6:40 AM )
Unfortunate gambit
The plan for the House to approve a health care bill without actually voting on it is not
the rule-breaker that opponents are claiming, but it leaves a bad taste in the mouth,
nonetheless. House leaders should call for an up-or-down vote on this bill and go from there. (Updated: 03/19/10 7:14 PM )
Fixing some flaws
Start from this premise: The Statler Hotel, once the heart of a wealthy city, cannot be allowed to become a casualty. It must not be to Niagara Square as AM&A’s has been to Main Street. But, boarded up on its ground floor and the subject of talk of abandonment, this spectacular building is already on the slippery slope to that benighted status. (Updated: 03/19/10 6:52 AM )
Hurray for hoopla
March Madness? Bring it on! (Updated: 03/18/10 10:57 AM )
Hard time at the jail
Once again, county leaders are doing their best to force a federal judge to act quickly. Erie County Attorney Cheryl A. Green is demanding that, as part of a previous ruling, Justice Department officials be allowed to question county employees and inmates only during formal depositions, with a county attorney objecting as necessary. (Updated: 03/18/10 7:02 AM )
Curb costs, don’t borrow
There are those who say that borrowing is a foregone conclusion as Albany timorously
considers a 2010-11 budget deficit of more than $9 billion. Knowing Albany, those people could
be correct. But it’s not right. (Updated: 03/17/10 7:26 AM )
Make Kendra’s Law permanent
Kendra’s Law—designed to keep people who really need it on their violence-prevention medication—was passed about 10 years ago. It’s up for renewal, again. Just make it permanent. (Updated: 03/17/10 6:33 AM )
Reform budget practices
Just about everyone, at this point, accepts that New York's government is a dysfunctional
mess. Crooks, con men, philanderers and abusers seem to gravitate to the state capital, which
they have turned into their plaything. No area of government shows their corrosive influence
more than the state budget. (Updated: 03/16/10 8:15 AM )
Still no financial regulation
Congress apparently hasn’t grasped the larger message of the financial meltdown that nearly vaporized the world economy from 2008 to 2009, so it’s useful to deliver a blunt reminder. It’s particularly useful when the reminder is delivered by a banker, and even more so when the banker has the stature of Buffalo’s Robert Wilmers. (Updated: 03/16/10 6:35 AM )
Go from bad to better
With all the problems facing Buffalo Public Schools the last thing anyone needs is the equivalent of a schoolyard brawl, but that’s exactly what appears to be happening in a disagreement between state education officials and the superintendent. (Updated: 03/15/10 8:08 AM )
Iraqis turn out to vote
Whatever becomes of Iraq — and it remains unknown — it is impossible not to be
profoundly impressed by a citizenry that defies mortal threats to do something as ordinary, to
us, as vote in an election. Yet that is what Iraqis have done more than once recently,
including in last week's national elections. (Updated: 03/14/10 11:23 PM )
More transparency
You can’t know where you are going if you don’t know where you are. (Updated: 03/14/10 11:04 PM )