Budget Opposition Based on Spending

Re “A Standoff With No Point,” editorial, July 3:

Your editorial states that legislative Republicans are opposing Gov. Gray Davis’ budget simply to embarrass him and deny him the claim of getting the state’s budget passed on time. This is absolutely untrue.

The Democrats’ budget will lead to more traffic gridlock by transferring funding for road construction, repair and mass transit to support new social-spending programs. The Democrats’ budget robs money from charter schools and reduces money for local law enforcement. The Democrats’ budget eliminates $250 million in county incentives to reduce welfare while continuing to add state employees at a record pace.

Worst of all, this budget spends over $79 billion even though our income is only $75 billion. By spending $4 billion more than the state takes in, this budget reduces our reserve and triggers a sales tax increase. In the 21/2 years of the Davis administration, California’s population has grown 5% but the state’s general fund has grown over 35%. Raising taxes by any amount to fund runaway government spending is opposed by most, if not all, legislative Republicans.

For these and many other reasons, Republicans in the Legislature oppose the Davis budget. To characterize our principled opposition as anything less reveals a political slant unworthy of a great newspaper.

Jim Brulte

State Senate Republican Leader

R-Rancho Cucamonga

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Thanks for telling me there’s no clamor for tax cuts. I’m fed up with the confiscatory level of taxes in California that has us paying more than pre-Proposition 13 levels and more than people in some socialist nations.

Some families pay 40% to 50% of their income in taxes to all levels of governments. And you say the GOP should roll over for $120 more per family in sales taxes? Forget it; I want my taxes cut now.

Steve Wampler

Tracy

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Re “Separating Self-Interest From National Purpose,” letter, June 30: The writer says that the money he pays in taxes is his money. This is nonsense. That money belongs to him in the same way that the money I pay for electricity belongs to me. Taxes are fees for services rendered, even if we disagree with the way the services are rendered.

The wealthiest Americans whose money is invested in business are more dependent than others on the services, infrastructure and resulting stability that government provides. There is a reason why they are not doing business in Somalia.

Taxes are the price we pay for a civilized society.

Constance Pencall

Whittier