Proposed Fees and Cuts Harm Ordinary People

Where in “Governor’s Budget Targets Cities, Counties” (Jan. 9) does it mention that the cuts being recommended by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger were made absolutely necessary by the spendthrift, Democrat-controlled Legislature? The voters who recalled Gov. Gray Davis know where to lay the blame, even if The Times doesn’t.

Maurice Harwick

Coronado

*

Every time Schwarzenegger talks about our budget crisis and overspending, a reporter should ask him if is going to try to get back the billions Enron overcharged us for electricity during the manufactured energy crisis. If former Enron Chairman Ken Lay isn’t a special interest, who is? The rest of us, who have to make our money by going to work every day, instead of scamming people with the Bush administration’s collusion?

Michael J. Dixon

Santa Monica

*

Schwarzenegger’s proposal to further raise college fees and cut financial aid is appalling. His actions will affect the efforts of many: adults who have been downsized from their jobs returning to obtain a degree, adults who seek to acquire a better edge in a cutthroat job market, where many positions are being shipped out of the state and country, and the many adults and young people who are just getting by, but who won’t make the cut for the new financial aid limits.

In California, working adults must obtain a degree to better their chances to afford simple luxuries, i.e., a home, nutritious food, health insurance and retirement. By not raising the state sales tax, Schwarzenegger avoids distressing California business owners and shifts the burden of the state budget onto working adults seeking nonexistent worthwhile jobs.

Katherine Winslow

San Diego

*

Schwarzenegger will not raise taxes, which would affect all economic groups. He will raise tuition at two-year colleges, increase fees to visit parks and withhold education funding, all of which will affect low- and middle-income families the most. Apparently the Terminator won’t fight rich Republicans.

Linda Goetzinger

Camarillo

*

I was astonished to read that Schwarzenegger wants attorney Daniel Kolkey to “renegotiate” with native tribes of California to pay their “fair share” of gambling revenue to the state (Jan. 8). Hasn’t this been “standard operating procedure” for Euro Americans in their dealings with native peoples? Break a treaty, then renegotiate. All the time the native people get the smaller slice of the pie.

Maybe Schwarzenegger should look to his rich Hollywood producer and director friends to pay their fair share of taxes and leave what is left of California’s native people alone to improve their lives.

Richard Meade

Los Angeles

*

When Schwarzenegger brags and laughs that he is a salesman by nature and that he can sell us just about anything, he is really warning all Californians to watch him carefully or he will get programs passed before we know what has hit us. Why, he even convinced The Times that he had given a masterful and eloquent State of the State address (editorial, Jan 7).

Perhaps he is right, but it tells the rest of us to be constantly alert to what he is doing. With car salesmen, we have the lemon law. With governors who think they can get anything past us, we still have the recall.

Lou Perez

Studio City