Long Islanders are facing an affordability crisis, from high property taxes, cost of groceries, health care, and our utilities. While an increase in the state and local tax deduction cap sounds like a great thing, it’s not going to solve the affordability issues we face [“New test for cap,” News, May 25]. It looks like things are about to get even worse.

Long Island Reps. Andrew Garbarino and Nick LaLota are flaunting their support for the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which includes a SALT cap increase. What good is that increase when the bill cuts nearly $1 trillion from Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP and other services?

Cuts to these services are estimated to create a $13 billion deficit in New York state’s budget. That’s on top of effectively kicking millions of people off health care. Cuts to funding for Medicare, Medicaid, and other programs lead to defunding local hospitals and care facilities. A lot of us have health insurance through our employers, but it won’t do you any good if your grandparents are out on the streets because the nursing home they live in has closed.

From a working-class perspective, they aren’t helping with the affordability crisis. They’re just making it worse.

The writer is the executive director of the Long Island Progressive Coalition.

History indeed repeats itself but in various forms. It seems we have returned to the Middle Ages. Then, the wealthy could buy forgiveness for their sins and thereby get their ticket to heaven. This was called the sale of indulgences.

Recently, the wealthy in our country have adopted a modern-day take on this practice. Today, if you commit a crime you need not worry [“Trump pardons ex-Rep. Grimm,” Nation & World, May 29].

Just donate a million dollars to the head of our country and you might get a pardon. Whether it be tax fraud or a sheriff taking bribes, just write a check and you are free.

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