Heritage for sale
Re “Wanna buy a landmark?” May 14
So, now the governor is threatening to sell state landmarks to help balance the budget unless people vote yes on Tuesday’s ballot propositions?
I have a better idea: Start threatening to veto every single bill that is passed unless lawmakers balance the budget on time without increasing spending.
As the Governator previously said: “California has a spending problem, not a revenue problem.”
Mike Hahn
Highland
The governor’s idea to sell San Quentin State Prison is long overdue. Why planners selected the most picturesque spot in the Bay Area to place a prison is beyond me, but San Quentin has been a thorn in Marin County’s side for decades. It is about time that monstrosity was closed and the inmates relocated.
A.J. Buttacavoli
Walnut Creek, Calif.
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Once the Coliseum, the Cow Palace and Del Mar are gone (given over to developers for more condos and mini-malls at fire-sale prices?), the people of California will never be able to replace them. What next, Griffith Park?
Donna Larson
Chatsworth
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We hope Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is merely posturing. If it would work, it might be worthwhile. But the financial problems are so big that this will not solve anything; it would only destroy an important part of our heritage.
Is this what the governor wants his legacy to be?
Daniel J. Fink
Los Angeles
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Schwarzenegger, in trying to sell off the state’s assets, shows the shortcomings of his leadership. He panders to the interests of Big Oil and SUV makers by failing to dramatically raise the tax on gasoline, and panders to Big Oil by failing to get the California Highway Patrol to force compliance with speed laws. Enforcement of speed laws generates revenue, saves lives, reduces greenhouse gas emissions, helps stop sending money for oil to other countries and makes roads safer for bicyclists and pedestrians. Raising the gas tax would deter people from buying SUVs without a care about fuel costs, environmental impact and our trade deficit.
Stephen V. Hymowitz
Los Angeles
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Re “To save L.A.’s Coliseum, sell it,” Opinion, May 4
I read of Sen. Jeff Denham’s (R-Atwater) suggestion, and now the governor’s proposed sale of the Coliseum, with disbelief. Don’t they know the Coliseum is a historic landmark that also makes money? Should we be starting to sell national historic landmarks?
The values thrown around are wildly inaccurate due to the Coliseum’s historic status, existing leases and lack of parking. In addition, we pay the state $1 million a year in rent, and the state gets all the parking revenue from our events, worth at least $2 million more a year. We do this without any subsidies from the city, county or state.
We are the proud home of the USC Trojans and host more multicultural events than any other venue in Los Angeles that we know of.
Perhaps Denham could help the state more by concentrating his efforts on turning profits at venues in his Central Valley district.
Pat Lynch
Los Angeles
The writer is the general manager of the L.A. Coliseum.