Dear editor:
It would be nice to see our local state leaders (Reps. Bruce Cozart and John Vines, Sen. Bill Sample) enact some common-sense legislation that would save taxpayers millions of dollars by making local and state agencies interact.
For example, anyone hitting an Arkansas Lottery ticket over $500 or having to fill out an IRS ticket at Oaklawn's casino should also fill out a state form, which would then be sent to the Department of Human Services and related agencies. If they are collecting welfare, unemployment, food stamps, HUD or public subsidized housing, or their children are on free lunch programs, all of the above should be suspended. If they have recreational money and can't get their priorities straight, someone else has to mandate it for them.
Also, if any of the above enter the Garland County (or any other, if statewide) court system for a felony or drug-related offense, they should be subjected to a urinalysis in 30 days. Upon failing, everything mentioned above should be forfeited/cut off.
It's time to make these deadbeats become productive members of society. A carrot is worthless without a stick.
Of course, this is all wishful thinking when elected officials like Cozart, Vines and Sample are cozying with big business, utility companies and high-powered lobbies (to the respective tune of $25,360, $31,315 and $32,906 in expenses alone turned over for taxpayer reimbursement last year).
Our local officials? A pathetic lot, passing silly discrimination ordinances as solutions for problems that never existed.
I appreciate the optimism of the letter writers in this paper who believe we have a wonderful city, state and country. Unfortunately, to use an Oaklawn horse racing term, I suspect you have "blinkers" on.
Paul Gutierri
Hot Springs
Editorial on 05/19/2015