A bounty of budget ideas

Re “Democrats devise plan to hike taxes,” Dec. 18

On the front page, we learn that the Democrats are devising a plan to hike taxes. In the Business section, a story tells us that more people are leaving California to live elsewhere in the U.S. than are moving in.

For some reason, Democrats haven’t realized that the two are tied together. As they make this state more fiscally toxic to live and do business in, the biggest contributors to the tax base are looking to leave. Raising the sales tax just makes it more desirable to buy from out-of-state companies over the Internet.

California’s ever-increasing handouts, coupled with the steady decrease of taxes being paid, is going to bankrupt this state -- and somehow the Republicans will get blamed.

Terrance Dauplaise

Torrance

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At a time when the state employees have had a 10% pay cut imposed on them, why aren’t our legislators taking a 10% pay cut as well?

They are the ones behind our fiscal crisis -- not the ordinary employees.

Jacqueline Crosno

Riverside

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A tax is a tax, no matter what the Democrats call it. By exploiting a loophole to increase the sales and gas taxes, as well as the income-tax surcharge fees without a two-thirds majority, the Democrats played right into the hands of the Republicans.

Until now, the Republicans looked like the bad guys because of their unwillingness to compromise, but in attempting to end run around the Constitution and enact increases in very unpopular taxes, it makes Democrats look like the bad guys. If Democrats want to increase taxes, which they should, they should concentrate on raising taxes that hit only a few and not everyone.

Jack Allen

Pacific Palisades

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We want to go on record as being willing to pay a reasonable increase in state taxes. The services provided by state government are vital. If there is fat in the budget, we’d sure like to see some real examples. So far, all we’ve heard is that we have to cut aid to healthcare and schools, etc. That doesn’t sound much like fat to us. Even though the recession has hit hard in California, it is difficult to believe that with all the wealth in this state we are unable to afford basic public services. The mantra of no new taxes is looking more mean and spiteful every day.

Grace and

Robert Bertalot

Anaheim

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Re “State may stop public works projects cold,” Dec. 17

Since Republicans in the Legislature appear to believe that the only way to balance the budget is to cut expenditures, here is a modest proposal:

They should volunteer to first cut the projects in their respective districts. This should free up some funds that could then be applied against the deficit. I would presume that the people who elected these Assembly members and senators, and thus think as they do, would applaud this selfless devotion to principle ahead of petty politics.

Martin Parker

Thousand Oaks