How to Make California Governable Again

Russell Korobkin makes some excellent points in his July 1 commentary, “Sacramento’s Game of Chicken.” However, I can’t share his conclusion that it’s the Democrats’ duty to surrender to the Republicans, who have committed themselves to derailing any budget deal that raises taxes.

How pathetic it would be for the local majority party to cede control to this rabid minority, especially when the GOP is using a much smaller congressional majority to push through an anti-tax revolution at the national level.

Korobkin’s conclusion flows from his apparent acceptance of the supermajority rules of the California budget game. I think it would be far better for Democrats to use this opportunity to change these undemocratic rules. A nasty budget crash might be worthwhile if it could be used to convince voters to make this state governable again. Democrats should push for a “majority rule” proposition to remove from the state Constitution the ridiculous rule requiring a two-thirds majority on tax hikes.

Bill Ponicki

Sacramento

*

The state Legislature is looking for money to balance the budget. Have they thought about cutting their salary and perks?

Marc Scott

Pacific Palisades

*

Re “GOP Files Challenge to Tripling of Car Tax,” July 2: With the state in deficit spending to the tune of $1 billion a month, the Davis administration granted a 7% wage increase [negotiated last year] to state employees? I do not know of any other workers in the whole country who got a 7% increase, even in states and companies that were not going broke, as California is. Very poor management.

Mel Flint

Yucca Valley

*

I blame Gov. Gray Davis for the dire situation that we are in. The way I see it, Davis either slept on the job, not knowing he had drained the state coffers, or -- knowing the consequences -- he did it anyway. Either way, there is no excuse. If Davis were a CEO of a corporation, he’d have been fired a long time ago.

David Chen

Hacienda Heights