Pay goes down while taxes, bills go up

Editor:

When I received my first pay stub for the new year, I noticed an additional tax of $51 for Social Security. That means $51 short for this payday, $102 short for the month and $1,224 short for the year. Since it is Social Security, I don't get it back during tax time next year.

Of course, Social Security may go bankrupt in the future, so I may never reap the rewards of my increased contributions. It is nice that my taxes go up, my pay goes down and my bills don't go away.

Speaking of bills, I opened a notification from West Virginia American Water Co. stating that they are seeking a 20 percent increase. It is nice to see that someone may get a pay raise this year. I don't like the taste of this "I can't believe it's not communism" wealth spread. I'm not even a 2 percenter, for goodness' sakes.

Maybe I should just quit my job and join the 47 percenters!

Christopher Mace

St. Albans

Frontier leads effort to expand broadband

Editor:

Your Feb. 6 story "W.Va. a broadband 'overachiever'" provides a welcome picture of broadband deployment in the Mountain State.

I certainly appreciate your bringing attention to the TechNet report that designated West Virginia as an overachiever in broadband deployment. According to your story, TechNet noted that West Virginia "is moving faster to increase broadband availability than anywhere else." The state Broadband Deployment Council's chairman offers his insight in the story. As a member of the council, I am very familiar with the history of broadband deployment and its benefits. Please allow me to expand on this good news.

Frontier Communications has been the leader in deploying broadband service since we acquired Verizon properties in July 2010 in West Virginia and 13 other states. We reported to the West Virginia Public Service Commission that we have accomplished the following:

These facts demonstrate that Frontier has met or exceeded each and every commitment we made to the people of West Virginia when we assumed ownership of the former Verizon markets. TechNet's analysis suggests that our investments in West Virginia are paying off to the people of this state.

Frontier entered West Virginia on a mission to deliver leading-edge broadband service that would inspire economic growth and support an improved quality of life in our homes, schools and communities. We very much appreciate that TechNet's report and your coverage reflect the effects of our investment in West Virginia.

Dana Waldo

Senior vice president and general manager for West Virginia

Frontier Communications

Charleston

Insurance plans cover services for women

Editor:

Thanks to the health-care law, new insurance plans are already providing preventive services, such as screenings for cancer, diabetes and hypertension, with no co-payments or deductibles.

Now, as health plans renew - commonly at the start of the calendar year - many are also required to cover certain women's preventive health services with no co-payment, including many important to expectant and new mothers.

These services include testing for gestational diabetes, counseling on sexually transmitted infections, and well-woman visits. New mothers will have coverage for lactation counseling and breastfeeding supplies. And health plans will cover the full range of FDA-approved birth control with no co-payment or deductible, which is important to mothers because birth control helps women space pregnancies to protect their own health and the health of their children.

Judy Waxman

Vice president of health and reproductive rights

National Women's Law Center

Washington, D.C.