Trying to Fix Blame for State Budget Woes

Re “Davis Says Tax Hikes Likely as Shortfall Soars,” Dec. 19:

Before blaming Gov. Gray Davis for all of our financial woes, voters should look in the mirror. Last month Proposition 50, the Clean Water Ballot Proposition, was approved by more than 54% of those who voted. Much of this $6-billion raid on the state’s general fund will be going to finance acquisition of troubled projects from landowners who put up millions to convince the gullible that it would require no tax increase. What about the “clean water” promised in those TV commercials? Well, the sponsors did come through in that promise: All taxpayers are going to take a bath for sure.

Thomas C. Rogers

San Juan Capistrano

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Where was Davis when the state’s budget shortfall was approaching $3 billion? $5 billion? Or even $7 billion? He was too busy increasing state spending that far outpaced our growth and raising reelection money to advance his personal goals. Raise taxes? I think not! How about lowering taxes that stimulate growth that generates revenues? How about reforming workers’ comp to bring back much-needed jobs? Do what you were elected to do, Davis, and lead. Don’t expect Joe Citizen to bail you out.

Dave Ashton

Newport Beach

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I read where Davis is going to raise automobile registration fees to help offset the budget deficit that he helped to create. Once again taxing some but not all Californians. There are hundreds of thousands of people in California who do not own a car, so they would escape the increase. If he wants to tax everyone equally, why not tax the food we buy at the grocery market? Everyone has to buy food. You can live in California without a car, but not food. Wake up, Gray Davis. You and your friends might have lots of money, but the majority of us are living payday to payday.

Richard Esslinger

Fountain Valley

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None of our elected representatives appear to have the slightest grasp of economic reality. Everyone should remember this at our next election.

At the state level, in spite of an increase of almost $15 billion over the past two months on top of a mind-boggling pre-existing deficit, our new lawmakers are billing the taxpayers for their new cars! I have yet to hear anyone, legislator or bureaucrat, ask to rescind their recent pay raise or do what most businesses have had to do: lay off employees or ask for wage concessions.

The Orange County supervisors are no better. After revelations that the Planning Department has no idea how to plan, the supervisors have given Thomas B. Mathews a golden parachute for increased benefits in an earlier retirement. If he worked for any company, he would have been fired for incompetence.

I hope the voters have a long memory and remember these people at the next election.

A. Trujillo Escareno

Tustin