Gov. Wilson and Budget Stalemate

Gov. Pete Wilson wants to put an end to California’s long budget nightmare. He wants a balanced budget without new taxes as soon as possible. So I find it odd that in your article (“Wilson Baffles Lawmakers With Reversals on Budget,” Aug. 7), you suggested that Wilson’s willingness to negotiate on a variety of budget issues was an impediment to reaching a solution to California’s budget crisis.

The record shows that on two issues--higher taxes and deficit spending--for the good of working Californians, Wilson won’t budge. But to craft a balanced budget without taxes that the Legislature is willing to pass has required the governor to entertain a wide variety of budget proposals.

The real sticking point is not the tangential issues you dutifully listed. The delay is all about deficit spending leading to higher taxes. Wilson’s resistance to taxes has finally persuaded most legislators that higher taxes simply are not a viable alternative for California this year. But some legislators cling to budget proposals that include significant, sometimes hidden, budget deficits. Wilson simply won’t accept those Washington-style fixes for our budget problems. They would simply mean higher taxes down the road.

The governor is willing to at least entertain almost any other reasonable proposal for balancing the budget. This flexibility is a virtue, not a vice.

TOM HAYES, Director, Department of Finance, Sacramento