California’s Budget Crisis

We are in agreement with you that the budget crisis, which has forced the issuance of IOUs for the first time since the Great Depression, must be solved immediately before more damage to the state is done (“IOU a Real Budget Solution,” editorial, July 2).

However, we do not agree with the governor that the budget should be balanced on the backs of California’s 5 million schoolchildren, who are being held hostage by the governor’s stubborn refusal to compromise and who is determined, no matter what the human cost, to slash education by $2.3 billion.

The Conference Committee budget now before the Legislature is a viable option without further education cuts. It is balanced, does not raise taxes or carry over the deficit, but it does protect schoolchildren. But Wilson must have it his way or no way--cut $2.3 billion from schools or let the state “slide into chaos.”

RON McPECK, Vice President

California Teachers Assn.

Sacramento