Fix the State Budget With a Gas Tax

While the state government contemplates raising the sales tax, income tax and imposing a movie-ticket tax to cover the budget shortfall (Dec. 20), I notice that no one in Sacramento has the courage to propose the single best solution for the state: dramatically raising the tax on automobile gasoline. Use one-half of such gas-tax revenue to pay for improved mass transit and one-half to help cover the deficit. Benefits include reducing smog, improving the environment, reducing traffic, decreasing sprawl, reducing illness from pollution and lessening our dependence on foreign oil. And as an added bonus, those people driving absurdly giant SUVs will bear the brunt of the tax.

Aaron Friedland

Los Angeles