Put the Good Back in Public: Raise Taxes to Fund Schools

Re “Regrettably, No on Prop. 55,” editorial, Feb. 17: You state that the people of California cannot afford to improve schools for our children at this time. Last weekend my husband and I traveled to San Luis Obispo to attend the Chapman University-Cal Poly lacrosse game. There was not a hotel room available anywhere in San Luis Obispo, Pismo Beach, Santa Maria, Solvang, Santa Ynez, Santa Barbara, etc. Restaurants had two- to three-hour waits on both Saturday night and Sunday afternoon. California is a land of tremendous beauty and wealth. Yes, we can afford to provide decent schools for our children. We just have to set the right priorities.

How is it OK to strap future generations with the debt load of Proposition 57 but not OK to fund education? My children mostly attended private schools, but I have never once complained about my tax dollars going to public schools or to helping people in need. Maybe we have to admit the fact that we need to increase taxes on something, whether it be property, goods purchased, automobiles, whatever. My son received a $39 car tax rebate check that he did not need. I am sure others did not need those checks either. I am equally certain that children deserve a decent education in school settings that are conducive to learning.

Pam Ross

Mission Viejo

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I was astounded to read your editorial opposing Proposition 55. The Times has traditionally been a proponent of good government in all its various aspects. Seeing The Times back away from that historical stance sent a shiver down my spine. Tying this opposed position on the statewide bond to a support position on the LAUSD bond required a tortured logic that left me shaking my head.

Since state Treasurer Phil Angelides, the California Taxpayers’ Assn. and other organizations say we can afford it and should support it, it boggles the imagination that you say we can’t. For the first time in my memory we find The Times aligned with the Philistines who never have supported one cent of public funds for the public good.

Paul Markowitz

West Hills

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So, yet again, the children are going to suffer because their spendthrift elders are unwilling to pay the appropriate amount of taxes to balance the budget. Perhaps we should issue credit cards to kindergartners so they can practice behaving like adults, putting off painful decisions until later. Proposition 55 is a good measure and would be sustainable if taxes were raised instead of the borrowing authorized in Proposition 57.

Ronald Macaulay

Claremont