Helping California Balance Its Budget

Re “Loans Seen as Remedy for Shortfall,” March 23: A truly innovative approach for helping to solve the California budget shortfall is one charitable organizations have used for a century. Pass a new law that sets up a charitable -- not political -- California State Foundation that will accept tax-deductible donations from the public to help fund state education, health, law enforcement and other needs.

Donors, depending on the size of their contributions, would be recognized through resolutions passed by the Legislature and signed by the governor. If this were done right, billions of dollars could be raised.

Steve Oppenheimer

Northridge