California forum letters: Bee readers take on the state’s budget surplus, receivership

Humanity

“‘A nightmare.’ Sacramento sued 12 homeowners during COVID. They lost control of their homes,” (sacbee.com, Jan. 12)

“The degree of civilization can be judged by entering its prisons,” novelist Fyodor Dostoevsky once said. One might also add, “and by its treatment of its less financially fortunate.” Who are these people who ascribe to receivership as a solution to “blight”? There is nothing humane about entering a person’s home, clearing and destroying their personal property and companion animals and then charging exorbitant fees so that said person may keep their own home. We must always value human beings over material gain. Life exists within the hearts and souls of those we love, not in paper, plastic or concrete monuments to wealth.

Susan MacMillan Winmon

Elk Grove

Going underground

“Fire and ice: PG&E’s Dixie Fire liabilities, snow outages show California utility unchanged,” (sacbee.com, Jan. 8)

The two-week power outage has been a gigantic burden for those living in the foothills. It should shock us that our grid is so unreliable. Likewise, turning off power on windy days and during a wildfire creates ongoing misery for people who choose to live in the forests of California. Here in Sacramento, Sacramento Municipal Utility District customers suffer the same fate as trees cause similar damage during our windy events. It’s time to put transmission lines underground. Yes, it’s expensive, but so are fires, floods and storms that damage the grid. With the climate change crisis, these events are increasingly violent. The freezing storms in Texas, tornadoes in Kentucky and floods in the East and South should wake us up. If our country is to go green, then we need reliable service. We need a grid that can withstand the impact of worsening climate by going underground.

Theresa Lown

Sacramento

Urban sprawl

“Climate change, new construction mean more ruinous fires,” (sacbee.com, Jan. 3)

What do the Jackson Road and Natomas developments have in common with the suburbs near Boulder, Colo., that were destroyed by a wind-drive fire in December? Their extensive wildland-urban interface. Sacramento experiences similar high winds during the fall and could easily experience a similar event. This is another reason the City Council and Board of Supervisors need to focus on infill development in urban areas rather than sprawl. Continued low-density construction on agriculture and ranchlands leads to more cars on the road, more carbon emissions and more extreme weather events. The city and county need to develop bold climate action plans that encourage infill and reduce emissions. As a region, we need to seriously consider the fire risk associated with development projects.

Debra da Costa

Sacramento

Career politicians

“Republican Tom McClintock will run in new California congressional district,” (sacbee.com, Jan. 6)

It’s not surprising that McClintock has decided to relocate his personal brand of malignant intransigence to a congressional district designed to ensure his safe election. His tenure has been characterized by a lengthy list of vital legislative endeavors he failed to support. Moreover, he has carved out a 40-year political career representing no one but himself, bankrolled by the taxpayers and earning both state and federal legislative pensions. He’s never lived in his current district, and it’s likely he won’t live in the new one. It can’t be a coincidence that in the same edition containing this article on McClintock, you twice mention his aspiring replacement, Kevin Kiley. This publicity-seeking Assembly member and perpetual candidate for the next best thing (state senator 2019, governor 2021) has now declared his candidacy for the new Third District congressional seat. Let’s hope the voters wise up and block this rung on Kiley’s ladder.

Barbara Smith

Auburn

An answer

“Give it to me straight. Is my gas stove killing the planet ... and me?” (sacbee.com, Jan. 7)

On Jan. 7, Stephanie Finucane asked readers to give it to her straight on gas stoves. As a physician, I’m here to answer that call. Our reliance on natural gas appliances is dangerous for air quality — indoors and out. Gas stoves emit toxins and nitrogen oxides in the home, which are particularly dangerous for children’s developing lungs. Kids in homes with gas stoves are 42% more likely to suffer asthma attacks. Outdoors, pipelines leading to your home are leaking methane, a potent greenhouse gas. Climate change is a public health emergency, from wildfires and extreme heat to air pollution; 98% of Californians live with unhealthy air, which can cause asthma attacks, heart attacks and even death. To protect public health, we need pollution-free homes. Thankfully, in the meantime, induction cooktops are affordable, cook quickly and precisely, clean up easily and, yes, help both you and the planet.

Dr. Lisa Patel

San Francisco

More housing

“California is swimming in money. How will Gavin Newsom spend California’s budget surplus?” (sacbee.com, Jan. 6)

Why doesn’t the state spend some of the surplus on permanent housing for the homeless? Buy up some of the vacant buildings in Downtown Sacramento and turn them into apartments. I see these vacant hotels and apartments being sold off to developers who will rent them out to high-end renters. Instead of spending millions on sports venues and glitzy storefronts to “lure” people downtown, build housing instead. Nobody will visit downtowns when the homeless are occupying every sidewalk, bridge and freeway frontage. The state used eminent domain to buy up private property for the high-speed train; why not this?

Carol Chase McElheney

Elk Grove