Seesaw Legislature Taxes Citizens

“A Standoff With No Point” (editorial, July 3) misses the point. The proposed tax increase will cost the average family $120 a year at a time when families are paying higher fuel and power costs that can be attributed to Sacramento. Gov. Gray Davis and the Democrats in the Legislature are proposing a budget that ignores economic reality. They are expanding existing programs and adding new programs while asking us to pay more.

Your editorial says we need the budget to provide money for roads. You need to look more closely at this budget. They are shifting money away from roads to support their pet projects. The Republicans are heroic in their efforts to protect us from the Democrats, who can’t seem to curb their urge to spend our money. Finally Republicans are showing the backbone that demonstrates a difference between the parties.

Bruce Peotter

Irvine

What a difference a few months make. Last November, Davis proudly reduced the state sales tax and announced that it would save the average family about $120 per year. This was especially good considering the fact that the sales tax is one of the most regressive taxes you can have, with the heaviest burden falling on low-income families.

Now that the prices of gasoline, natural gas and electricity have skyrocketed they want the tax to be raised again! Since it was going to save about $120, this means those same families now have to pay an extra $120 next year. It does not seem quite fair, and I find it hard to understand why Davis and The Times are not on the people’s side on this one.

John E. Stoos

Sacramento