The state’s bottom line

Re “Gov. wants to cut back tax breaks,” Feb. 29

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s decision to endorse the recommendations of Legislative Analyst Elizabeth G. Hill is the type of action we need in a leader. He reconsidered his earlier position and is now coming to the table with an open mind.

We have not just a spending problem but a revenue problem, and the proposed cuts for education cannot stand. Yet already Republican leaders in the Legislature say votes will not be available for any plans to eliminate tax breaks. Please, we are so sick of the staying-the-course mentality. Republicans need to approach the problem with open minds and a willingness to make changes.

I take issue with Assembly Budget Committee Vice Chairman Roger Niello (R-Fair Oaks) saying that the public has been misled concerning these tax loopholes. I understand completely that closing some loopholes will affect me as a taxpayer -- and I don’t own a yacht either.

Diane Harrison

Laguna Niguel

Real Republicans will stand up and declare that educating our children is more important than protecting their playthings, i.e. yachts, airplanes and luxury RVs. In the face of the unfunded mandate in No Child Left Behind, only a selfish juvenile would do otherwise.

Karen Reisdorf

San Clemente

The governor and the Legislature want to cut back on tax breaks so that everyone would be made to “chip in.” OK, if that’s the case, why not make public servants, including prison guards, give back some of the large pay raises they received in the past? Or make them work a week or two a year without pay. I’m not even counting the large pensions they receive, or the job security. I thought the public sector was supposed to get equal pay for the same job in the private sector. I think the public has surpassed the private in all categories.

Jim Mendelson

Playa del Rey