Stop starving the 'beast'

Re "Cut the budget, but not that part" (Editorial, May 1): For the last 30 years, we have been starving the "beast."

It turns out that this "beast" keeps our police paid and supplied, unlike some governments; keeps our kids in school, unlike some other governments; and should keep the unscrupulous from preying on the innocent. It protects small business from mega-corporations. It provides a safety net to the bottom rung of our ladder of opportunity. It also provides help up that ladder with schools, colleges and universities.

This "beast" that we have been starving with fewer and fewer taxes is now at the point where we have to decide if California should recede even further from the seventh-largest economy in the world (we used to be fifth).

Unfortunately, we are getting what we paid for. It is time for us taxpayers to pay up or shut up. Our "beast" is dying.

– Thomas J. Planesi, Rocklin

Businesses and taxes

Re "Ballot package caters to wealthy interest groups" (Page A1, May 3): The assertion that businesses support Proposition 1A because their taxes weren't increased in the recent tax bill is simply wrong.

The fact is that the entire business community will pay billions in higher taxes as a result of the tax bill. Research shows that businesses pay approximately 35 percent of the sales tax, which translates to a roughly $2 billion tax increase through June 2010.

Businesses pay sales tax on the purchase of manufacturing equipment, laboratory equipment, computers, office furniture, vehicles and, of course, consumables such as light bulbs and toilet paper.

Also, businesses are not exempt from the 0.5 percent car tax increase, as they pay annually for work trucks, tanker trucks and other vehicles used for business.

Despite this painful fact, more than 30 business organizations and taxpayer organizations support Proposition 1A because this measure is critical to the health of our state's economy. The bottom line is that when the state budget is in a deficit, there is a direct and negative impact on the economy. Proposition 1A will bring greater stability to our budget, and that is something we need to protect taxpayers in the long term.

– Teresa Casazza, Sacramento president, California Taxpayers' Association

Niello can work with others

Re "Anti-tax activists miss the point of Prop. 1A" (Forum, May 3): To a disillusioned cross-the-line Republican, it is refreshing to know there are still a few pragmatic Republicans like Assemblyman Roger Niello. Unlike "Mr. No" (Rep. Tom McClintock), an opportunistic carpetbagger who squeaked his way into the 4th Congressional District, Niello seems to understand the concept of working with others to get the job done. Good for him, and maybe the rest of us who stand on the middle ground.

– Jon Jakowatz, El Dorado Hills

'Modernization' of a vice?

Re "This ballot: Direct democracy in action" (Editorial, May 5): Among the proposals for this month's special election is Proposition 1C, the Lottery Modernization Act. Proponents claim that "improved marketing" and "increased payouts" from the state lottery will "improve its performance." That's doublespeak for, "Let's grow future losses to our residents by inflaming their greed."

What an excellent idea.

Profiting from the desperate, ignorant or foolish is perfectly acceptable because they will indulge in irresponsible behaviors anyway. People who buy lottery tickets believing they have a good shot at becoming rich might otherwise spend their money on such luxurious diversions as rent and food.

Why not regulate other vices to save our children from a heavy tax burden? Prudence demands that we extend sin taxes – call them lifestyle revenues – to other socially and personally destructive behaviors that people would pay to perform. Just think of the revenues the state could generate from taxes on meth, prostitution and domestic violence.

There is precedent for this fair and balanced proposal. We tax alcohol and cigarettes, trading the lungs and livers of our fellow Californians for cash. How much different, really, is a "modernized" lottery?

Let's be frank about what a "yes" vote on Proposition 1C means: We will become more adept at preying on the vulnerable.

– James Crooks, Red Bluff

Raise taxes on alcohol

My proposal to help solve the state's budget deficit: a 20 percent tax on alcohol.

I frequently read in The Bee of deaths of innocent people occurring due to DUIs.

The Legislature has raised the taxes on cigarettes; now is the time to raise taxes to protect the innocent DUI victims.

– M. Bunker, Sacramento