The Majority Can See Raising Some Taxes

Re “Most in State Expect Some Tax Increases,” April 25: The Times Poll shows that a healthy majority of Californians are finally seeking fiscal sanity. For years now, the highly vocal tax-hating zealots in our midst have been very successful in convincing enough voters that any taxes paid to the government are just wasted. Over the years, one of the most successful tactics that these anti-tax zealots have employed is to tell taxpayers that they work just for the government four or five months a year because of the taxes they are forced to pay.

The next time this tactic is used I suggest that, in rough figures, it should go something like this: Taxes paid in January and February go to pay the interest on the $2-trillion debt run up by President Reagan during his eight-year tenure. Taxes received in March will go to pay interest on the $1-trillion debt run up by the first President Bush in his time in office. As for the present President Bush’s fiscal debacle, it looks like taxpayers will soon be working for the government well into August.

James R. Gallagher

Huntington Beach

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Re a state tax increase: Independent voter Kevin Kovalchik said, “I really don’t see any other way out of it -- other than raising taxes.” What got California into this financial crisis was overspending, spending far beyond revenue growth or the sum of inflation and population growth. Colorado and several other states do not have our problems because their state laws require adherence to not spending beyond these limits. If they can do it, why can’t we? The solution is not raising taxes. The solution is reducing spending.

Ed Rennie

Newport Beach

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I have a suggestion that will bring in additional millions to state coffers (April 23). Cross-check Department of Motor Vehicle auto registrations with state income tax returns. Tax cheats driving $30,000-plus vehicles and reporting meager incomes might be compelled by state revenue collectors to declare their true earnings. There are too many in California working “off the books” and not paying their fair share. Monitoring auto registrations is a way to stop tax fraud and raise additional revenue.

Charles F. Serio

Los Angeles