Letters

I was surprised to see Nick LaLota so full of praise for a hard-won fight over the SALT increase [“LaLota Votes for Spending Compromise That Raises SALT Cap, but Only for Five Years,” 27east.com, July 3]. His “hard no” was very short-lived. Instead, he got a four-year increase.

In your piece, he highlights that a family earning $250,000 will get $5,000 more back in taxes — but that amount will be a whole lot less for a couple earning under $100,000. And remember that in five years it will be eliminated again.

Balance that against the thousands of families who will lose SNAP benefits and Medicaid permanently. Not to mention the huge increase to our national debt to pay for more tax breaks, which disproportionally favor the most wealthy.

LaLota says it was the toughest legislative fight of his congressional tenure so far. Well, Nick, if that’s your best, heaven help us. The reality is, you were never going to stand up for your district; the president would have found and promoted someone to run against you, and there’s no way you’re giving up your lifestyle and D.C. benefits.

I’d have more respect for you if you were honest and said, “I knew I couldn’t win against the president, so I fell on my sword” — but this pretense that you fought until the end for your constituents is frankly nauseating.

Robin Fish

East Hampton