Hits & Misses
HIT: It appears the Pittsburgh Steelers will have stability at the quarterback position for the foreseeable future. It was announced this week that the team has agreed with Ben Roethlisberger on a new three-year contract, taking effect after his current deal that runs out after this season. Not everyone is a big fan of “Big Ben,” but like him or loathe him, he has been a true franchise quarterback for the Steelers since shortly after he was drafted in 2004, and barring injury or a sudden drop in performance, it seems he’ll be slinging the ball around these parts until he’s 40. There are plenty of other teams very jealous of the stability the Steelers have enjoyed at the most important position on the field.
HIT: All around our area today, police departments will be serving as drop-off sites for the annual National Prescription Drug Take Back Day. It’s a great opportunity to get rid of prescription drugs that could fall into the wrong hands or, if flushed down a toilet, seep into our water supply. Those who participate should remove all personal identification from the drug bottles. Search by zip code at deatakeback.com to find collection sites, or call 1-800-882-9539.
HIT: Pennsylvania has a horde of adults who are nearing the end of their working lives, and a good many almost certainly have little or no money saved for the days when they will no longer be punching a clock. According to the AARP, close to one-third of adults aged 55 to 64 nationally have no money saved at all for retirement. That ends up costing Pennsylvania about $700 million a year, and could top $1 billion in a little more than a decade. For that reason, a bipartisan group of lawmakers in Harrisburg is working on a proposal that would create a statewide retirement savings program that would be overseen by Pennsylvania’s Treasury Department. Employees who work for businesses that do not offer 401(k) or pension plans would be eligible. Each account would be supported through payroll deductions and managed by a private-sector investment administrator. Six other states have created programs like this. According to Joe Torsella, the commonwealth’s treasurer, “When you unpack it and explain it to people, it’s like, ‘Why wouldn’t we do it?’ It’s a big paradigm shift. It’s recognizing that we as a state have a problem, and we have to do something about that.”
MISS: Municipalities, nonprofits and various governmental entities within Washington County benefit from the Local Share Account, which has distributed $88 million in gambling revenue from the Meadows Racetrack and Casino over the last decade. It goes to a host of projects, from infrastructure to job training. But state Rep. Bud Cook has come up with a proposal that would eliminate the account and instead give the money to school districts for property tax relief. Setting aside the fact that the local share money goes to valuable community endeavors, there are a few problems with Cook’s plan. First, Cook has not made a similar proposal for Fayette County, which is also in his district and includes the Nemacolin Woodlands’ Lady Luck Casino. And he also apparently didn’t contact any local officials about it. Washington County Commissioner Larry Maggi said he was surprised by it, and Jeff Kotula, president of the Washington County Chamber of Commerce, lambasted Cook, saying he “did not consult or discuss his proposal with anyone involved or the stakeholders.” Odds are, Cook’s proposal won’t go too far. But he might have better luck with other ideas in the future if he actually communicates with fellow lawmakers and other officials.