County Finance Bill
* Assemblywoman Debra Bowen’s (D-Marina del Rey) proposal to impose fiscal restraint on Los Angeles County (“Bill Seeks Clout Over County,” Aug. 15) is hypocritical at best.
As an active and frequent observer of this year’s legislative session in the state Assembly I can only offer this advice to Bowen: Before seeking to kick Los Angeles County, get your own house in order first! Is this the same Bowen who, as a member of a legislative body, failed to pass a balanced budget on time? Is this not the same Bowen, who as a member of the Los Angeles County delegation to the Assembly, failed to provide fiscal relief for Los Angeles County during this legislative session?
Were this proposal not so politically cynical, malicious and opportunistic, it could be termed a laugher. However, this is a clear case of do as I say, not as I do.
MARK S. DYMALLY, Director
West Basin Municipal Water District
Inglewood
* I am proud to call Bowen my Assemblyperson. She has taken a truly important step in bringing fiscal responsibility to Los Angeles County. One can only hope that the proper persons are appointed to the panel to oversee the county’s finances.
The need for such a panel is evident in reading the comment of Michael Bustamante, spokesman for Gloria Molina: “We need revenue-raising (read taxes) authority.” To paraphrase P.J. O’Rourke, giving more taxes to elected officials is like giving whiskey and car keys to a teen-age boy. Nothing but disaster will result.
The simple plan would be to follow Orange County into bankruptcy, and start all over, with real businessmen overseeing the running of the country.
GARY O. KENT
Torrance
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