N.C. Leg. and Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt decided, after a tremendous public outcry, to rescind the salary increases the legislature approved last week. We’re glad he did, but frankly we are confused as to why he would have supported them in the first place.

At all levels of government, there is finger pointing and comment on the reason taxes are so high on Long Island. Lawmakers point to the school districts; the school districts point to the State and the State points to local government.

It’s about time all of them wake up and smell the coffee: they are all to blame, and they all need to work together to bring us some tax relief. Healthy raises, whether they are lawmakers, administrators, teachers, or any other public servant, should simply be taken off the drawing board until Long Island property owners have a chance to breathe.