Opinion articles provide independent perspectives on key community issues, separate from our newsroom reporting.

Letters to the Editor

Barr economic plan lacking

U.S. Rep. Andy Barr’s 15-point “anti-poverty plan,” as reported in the Aug. 14 Herald-Leader, is missing an important element: job or economic development. Possible exceptions appear to be:

“Allow for universal tax-free savings accounts at banks to encourage saving.”

Expanding “eligibility for federal student aid to universities not accredited by the federal government.”

Repeal of “the U.S. Department of Labor’s ‘fiduciary rule’ requiring advisers to disclose financial conflicts of interests to clients.’”

If these aren’t special interest programs, I must have missed the definition along the way.

If you don’t include job/economic development, I recommend using the money to develop a high-speed rail system from a Central Appalachian point to the nearest area with available jobs and/or a t-shirt factory that imprints the 3-Rs logo, “Education = Reading, Riting and Route 23.”

John C. Wolff Jr.

Lexington

This story was originally published September 1, 2016 at 6:57 PM with the headline "Barr economic plan lacking."

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