Well-versed in waste

Former state Sen. Carole Migden, recently appointed to the Intergrated Waste Management Board at a salary of $132,000 a year, summarized her political contributions to the state of California when she was quoted in Saturday's San Francisco Chronicle stating, "As a politician, I'm well-versed in waste and trash."

I want to thank her and her colleagues for their true commitment to our fiscal future. Why do we park these people in high-paying jobs? Are we not looking at all areas of government to do away with redundancy and waste? The budget problem is not going to disappear on its own, and we need change not only at a national level but at the state level as well. Do what is right for the citizens of California and make the hard decisions. Don't leave office being well-versed in waste and trash.

– Robert Dunham, Sacramento

Health coverage a priority

Re "Steinberg aim: All kids insured" (California Focus, Dec. 7): Sen. Darrell Steinberg should be commended for making health coverage for all California children a priority this legislative session. Doing so will not only improve the health of the 800,000 children in our state who are currently uninsured, but it will ultimately help the state's fiscal situation.

Providing all children access to health care saves money by preventing more serious and costly health problems that would otherwise be treated in the emergency room. In tough economic times, this type of cost-effective reform is exactly what we need.

And Steinberg's efforts couldn't come at a more critical time. Recent budget decisions have left the children's health safety net in a precarious position. By 2010, 400,000 children who currently have health insurance could lose it.

Poll after poll shows strong public support for children's health coverage. The Legislature should waste no time working with Steinberg to tackle children's health early next year.

– Peter Manzo, Los Angeles,

president, United Ways of California

Expand gambling, and tax it

Re "New revenues must be part of plan" (Letters, Nov. 26): It is sad when California makes cuts to health care, education and programs for the disabled. It is true that California is in a multibillion-dollar deficit and that this needs to be solved; however, these programs are critical and should be expanded. By helping the vulnerable of California it benefits all of us. To accomplish this, a new sustainable revenue source is needed.

One way that California could do this is to expand gambling. Casino gambling is one of the fastest growing industries in the state. By allowing casino gambling to greatly expand, Californians will see a significant increase in the state's current revenue through the billions of dollars that can be obtained through casino taxation. This is needed if we want to keep the programs that help the disabled and children keep going.

– Nicole Rouse, Sacramento

Timing is everything

With the rapid drop in oil prices, is now the time to raise the state and federal gas tax?

– Craig Hunter, Colfax

One explanation for food prices

Re "Why aren't food prices lower?" (Letters, Nov. 20): While I'm equally baffled by the lack of declining grocery prices when other products prices are declining, there are reasons that make such a situation plausible. Keep in mind that I am not an economics major or anything of the sort, but simply an entrepreneur and consumer.

Although the economic recession has affected all companies in some way, this does not mean that it affected them all in the same way. Grouping the food market with something unrelated such as airlines does not help the argument. Each market has its own supply and demand. Many companies have failed due to the recession, but companies like Wal-Mart and Hormel have thrived due to new demands for cheaper food. People travel less, but they still have to eat. And while the food companies do include natural gas prices in their business expenses, it is not their only business expense. While those prices have lowered, other business expenses may have risen, thus causing no net gain for the food companies that can be passed on to the consumer.