Gov. Gray Davis’ Spending Policies

* Re “Warning Flags for Davis,” editorial, March 19: I didn’t vote for Gov. Gray Davis, but I do defend his cautious approach to reestablishing large state entitlement and spending programs. Have you forgotten the financial disasters of the early 1990s state recession? Businesses fled the state’s high workers’ compensation, taxes, environmental laws and over-regulation. State university enrollments declined. The state faced billions in unexpected natural-disaster costs. And we were the welfare magnet of our nation and of the Third World.

This current prosperity is only temporary. To justify your ultraliberal economic demands you discount the electorate that has consistently voted for equity and accountability in government economic and social policies. Why do you continually degrade the voters and taxpayers? Davis should remain fiscally prudent. The good times don’t last forever.

ED FORDE

Fallbrook

* Gov. Davis is a disappointment to supporters, who expect him to follow a reasonable path when it comes to investing surplus tax dollars, appointing judges and implementing prison reform. Instead, he emulates former Gov. Pete Wilson’s imprudent and miserly ways. I won’t be contributing to his reelection campaign in 2002.

DOROTHY CHAPMAN

San Clemente

* What’s next for our imperial governor . . . the Swiss Guards?

LILLIAN SACCO

Rosemead