The ABLE Act

Back in 2014, Congress passed the ABLE Act, which allows people with disabilities to establish financial accounts to help them with various expenses while not jeopardizing Social Security payments or other benefits.

Prior to the law, a disabled person’s financial assets could result in limits on certain government payments.

Under the bipartisan measure, an American who become disabled before age 26 may accrue a total of up to $14,000 annually in the account — through donations from family members, friends or others, for instance —to pay for housing, transportation, health care and other items.

The accounts also offer tax advantages and may reach a maximum of $100,000. They are similar to 529 plans, which allow families to set aside money tax free to build a child’s college fund.

On Thursday, Nevada became one of the first states to implement the new program, making it available through the state treasurer’s office. Those interested in more information should contact the Nevada Aging and Disability Services Division.

Meanwhile, Congress is already considering an expansion of the initiative, including raising the savings cap and increasing the disability onset age to 46. The latter could be somewhat controversial, given that fraud in the Social Security disability program is hardly unknown as payments have ballooned in recent decades.

Overall, though, Nevada officials deserve credit for moving quickly to implement the ABLE Act. It’s a reasonable effort to help those who face physical challenges that make it difficult or impossible to live independently.

It seems that all the incentives that made Las Vegas a great place to live are disappearing before our eyes.

We’ve lost free parking privileges along the Strip, but that’s the least of the assault on locals. Residents are increasingly shouldering the financial burdens of higher sales taxes, fees and now a possible increase in property tax caps.

It’s reasonable to expect some rising costs; however, when we are consistently asked (or required) to pay more in taxes and fees, there needs to be justification and accountability on the part of officials who keep reaching into our pockets. Time and again, we’ve seen evidence of irresponsible spending, waste and criminal activity concerning public institutions that receive our money. Taxpayer money is treated as a carte blanche bank account.

Perhaps we should begin cost-cutting measures instead of asking families to dole out more of their hardearned money. How about reducing those generous government pension packages and salaries? What about curtailing wasteful spending and holding individuals accountable, for a change.

It’s easy to spend someone else’s money when you haven’t worked for it. This proposed increase in the property tax cap should spark outrage in every Las Vegan, whether or not they own a home. Because every resident will end up paying.

It is my belief that those in the Clark County School District, the unions and legislators who are against the education savings account program need to get out of the inner circle and take a look at the bigger picture.

If the choice program were implemented, a certain percentage of parents would take their children out of public school. I have been in Las Vegas since 1995 and every year I have read that we have a teacher shortage resulting in larger class sizes. When children leave the public schools and enroll in private school, we will need fewer teachers. No more shortage and smaller class sizes.

The money in the budget previously needed to hire more teachers can now be used for other educational needs. Looks like a win-win situation, especially for the children. They should be the No. 1 priority.

Several citizens have recently penned letters to the Review-Journal seeking the installation of red-light cameras as a safety remedy for Las Vegas roadways. But let this former Chicagoan and former suburban traffic commission member warn all valley residents to be careful what you are asking for.

As the Chicago Tribune often pointed out, the prolific installation of redlight cameras throughout the metro area was more of a money grab than a safety issue. In fact, the number of collisions at many intersections increased subsequent to camera installation due to sudden braking upon the transition from green to yellow lights in the direction of traffic.

Additionally, communities banked the fines to help keep budgets in the black. Safety was simply not a consideration. But revenue was.

How does this happen? The Tribune found that yellow-light sequences were intentionally shortened to increase violations. Rightturn drivers “rolling” through a red light at 1 mph or 2 mph were cited for not coming to a “complete stop.” Violations were being determined by out-of-state contractors and assessed to the registered vehicle owner via license plate number irrespective of who was actually driving the car.

For right-turners daring to challenge their fines, the video evidence had to show a sudden stop-jerking motion to prove a complete stop. Often, contesting a ticket cost more than the fine itself. And, of course, there were many media reports investigating the contract awards between the various municipalities and the camera companies.

A new era of nickeland-diming at hundreds of intersections. Rear-end collisions everywhere. A majority of violations having nothing to do with the classic definition of running a red light. Most fines assessed to the community’s poorest. Municipal coffers flush with new cash. And still, drivers continued running red lights the classic way because those kind of motorists couldn’t care less. So much for safety.

Again, be careful what you wish for.