Legislature OKs Budget, Taxes
California was facing a $15-billion deficit. That is more than the entire budget of many states. But California is the biggest state, with the most miles of freeways, schools, universities and services of peace officers, firefighters and others we have come to rely on. It takes money to pay for what we use.
While other states facing much smaller budget gaps are still operating without budgets, California under the leadership of Gov. Pete Wilson, Speaker Willie Brown and Sens. David Roberti and Ken Maddy were able to pull their caucuses together and accept both drastic cuts and revenue enhancements.
Yes, California is two weeks late getting a budget. Yes, Californians will pay higher taxes. But the cuts were deep and the pain was spread across the board from the super-rich to the poorest. The solutions were as fair as possible and the leadership displayed is to be commended.
WILLIAM J. HEMBY, California Organization of Police & Sheriffs, Burbank
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