Proposed Tax Rebate

Re “Davis Proposes $150 Rebates for State Taxpayers,” May 12: A few years after California taxpayers were sent rebates in 1987, it was necessary to pass bond initiatives for schools, roads and prisons--resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in interest to be paid over the next generation.

Now, with more growth, more immigrants, an urgent need for schools--100 schools needed in the Los Angeles area alone in the next 10 years, with schools operating 12 months a year and even with consideration being given for night classes in some high schools, with prison overcrowding reaching crisis proportions and an urgent need for more and better roads, not to mention health care for the aged and indigent, Gov. Gray Davis wants to send $150 back to each taxpayer because of our “surplus.”

What’s wrong with this picture?

DON GATELY

Valencia

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Let me be one of the first to ask that Davis take my refund and give it to the California Youth Authority to correct its substandard medical and psychiatric care facilities and staff. It is distressing to think that the people of California would even consider taking this $150 election-year “bribe” instead of using it to help our troubled youth.

Mental problems and criminal tendencies can be discovered and corrected at early ages if we as a society want to do so. I call upon Davis to take this money and use it to establish statewide early mental illness/criminal behavioral testing and treatment centers, especially in those areas of the state with higher criminal activity.

DAVID STEENBLOCK

San Clemente

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Re “Davis Seeks State Tax Exemption for Teachers,” May 14: Here’s an alternate plan--let’s give the governor the median teacher salary and exempt him from state tax. Then give teachers the governor’s salary and let them pay their fair share. I’m game!

ALEXA MAXWELL

Los Angeles

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With all the rhetoric on what to do with the state surplus, one tax reduction that would benefit everyone has been overlooked--a reduction in the sales tax. It has gone from 2% to over 7%. Now is the time.

LEN ZIRALDO

West Hills