Good faith needed from GOP

Re "GOP has pro-business demand" (Capitol & California, Dec. 10): The Republicans in the state Assembly and Senate again reveal their indifference to the public good and their dedication to their special interests by, in effect, insisting that a list of demands be met before they will negotiate on the budget. These demands apparently include relaxing deadlines on greenhouse gas regulations, changing labor laws and other things not directly related to balancing the budget.

The way I see it, the Democrats have gone much further in offering compromises toward resolving the state's budget nightmare while the Republicans are seizing an opportunity to try to use the crisis to their advantage, at our expense! Machiavelli would have been proud of the GOP, but I'm disgusted. They need to set their list of demands aside, stop playing politics and start working in good faith to address this crisis before things spin completely out of control.

– John Lewis, Sacramento

Republicans need a reality check

Assembly Republicans are demanding a rollback of environmental and worker protection laws. In return, they will do their job. They say they will negotiate on the budget once the hostages are ransomed. While this might get them face time on right-wing blogs and cheers at the California Republican convention, it is simply one more failure. It's time for Republican elected officials to take a look at the real world. Your party is held in disdain by a large majority of voters. You cannot win an election outside rich, white neighborhoods or in the hills.

For a starter, you might look at how your tough-on-criminals initiatives have bankrupted the state budget by paying for more prisons than we can afford. This is just small-town politicians throwing meat to hometown yahoos. Keep at it, boys. Go the way of the Whigs. Kindly do not take the rest of the state with you.

– Jim Alford, Sacramento

Gas tax could be a solution

Let me propose a common-sense solution to the massive California budget deficit.

First, hike the tax on gasoline. Even a 50-cent-per-gallon increase would still leave gas prices far below where they were last summer. This tax could bring in several billion dollars a year. If gas prices rise drastically, the tax could be reduced. Low-income drivers could get a partial refund of the gas tax when they file taxes, as long as they keep their receipts. A gas tax might reduce the need for a hike in the general sales tax.

Second, a reduction in work hours for most government employees could save billions but spare the need for massive layoffs. For example, why not a four-day, 32-hour workweek or a five-day, 35-hour workweek?

Third, billions in federal aid for California and other states appears almost a certainty next year. Federal aid to pay for the costs of illegal immigration seems especially justified. Some estimates place these net annual costs as high as $10 billion in California. Immigration is a federal responsibility, and Washington should pay the costs.

– Al Nyberg, Vista

The real crime is tax waste

Re "GOP is driving the budget to …" (Editorial, Dec. 10): If this is the view of The Bee's Editorial Board, it is time to start looking for some new blood. In the wake of rampant state spending, it's interesting that the board suggests that those who finally are able to take a stand are equivalent to criminals who take hostages. The crime already was committed with years of tax waste. Raising taxes isn't the way to make up for insufficient funds. And job creation is not the primary objective of the state.

– Greig Nakamoto, Lincoln

The basics of management

Re "Think you know a lot about the state budget? Test yourself" (Opinion, Dec. 7): This demonstrates that Editorial Page Editor David Holwerk knows nothing about management basics whatsoever. A person who enters any management education class learns in the first week or so that you do not repeat and do not exploit any large problem without recommending some kind of solution.