Former Rep. Katie Porter is an exciting gubernatorial candidate | Opinion
Don’t diminish legislators accomplishments
“Can Katie Porter bring fresh ideas to California politics?” (sacbee.com, Aug. 9)
The assertion that former California Rep. Katie Porter and her mentor, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren, are somehow Democrats from the “old guard” is ridiculous. Both have been shaking up Congress with their advocacy of such legislation as consumer and financial protections in the banking and medical industries for regular working people.
While they may not get the publicity enjoyed by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders or New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both Porter and Warren are much more effective in their legislative accomplishments.
Joseph Mlakar
Roseville
Kiley defunds Corporation for Public Broadcasting
“Nina Metz: The Corporation for Public Broadcast is ‘winding down.’ What does that mean for public radio and TV?” (sacbee.com, Aug.1)
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting recently announced that it would be shutting down permanently after 60 years of funding the Public Broadcasting Station, National Public Radio and local stations. Last month, Republican Congressman Kevin Kiley voted for this outcome, even though public broadcasting is especially important in rural areas such as his district.
Kiley only cares about enriching and protecting billionaires.
Vicki Bosch
Browns Valley
Taxpayers punished for city’s financial woes
“Sacramento expands paid parking meters across the city,” (sacbee.com, Aug. 1)
According to the city’s ordinance, parking meters are placed when “other curb management strategies are ineffective.” We all know the real reason: The city has overspent taxpayer dollars. Rather than do the real work it would take to reduce the budget, city officials instead choose to stick taxpayers with another “fee” for an activity that was previously free.
Looking at waste in the city budget, requiring city-favored nonprofits to submit to audits and other belt-tightening measures is anathema to this mayor and council.
Bill Motmans
Sacramento
Wolves aren’t our enemies
“Return of wolves sparks fear, strains law enforcement in rural California,” (sacbee.com, Aug. 1)
Unfounded fears and unverified study results threaten our state’s fledgling wolf population and risk taking us down the same path that led to wolves’ near-extinction a century ago.
This article, in which I was quoted, references an ongoing UC Davis study examining the potential costs of wolves to California’s livestock industry. In May, 18 accredited scientists sent a letter to UC Davis voicing concern about the study, which has not been peer-reviewed.
People’s fear of wolves, while common, isn’t based in fact. Over the past 125 years in North America, there have only been two instances of wolves killing humans — one in Canada and one in Alaska. Approximately 7,500 wolves live in the lower 48 states. Our fear of large carnivores is primal.
We need to respect all wildlife, but we need not fear them.
Amaroq Weiss
Petaluma
AB 5 harms employers
“California Republicans introduce a bill to repeal the labor law AB 5. It’s a long shot,” (sacbee.com, Jan. 24, 2024)
Assembly Bill 5 was intended to protect vulnerable, low-wage workers from misclassification, not to enrich lawyers. But today, it’s fueling a litigation industry that targets small businesses for massive settlements, even in cases involving high-earning, independent professionals with no evidence of harm.
As a business owner, I’m being sued under AB 5 by a former contractor who earned $150,000 working remotely without supervision. This isn’t exploitation, it’s opportunism. Plaintiff attorneys file copy-paste lawsuits, knowing defense costs and fee-shifting rules will pressure companies to settle. The real winners? The lawyers.
AB 5 enforcement belongs with the Labor Commissioner, not in the courtroom. Misclassification should be handled with clear rules and proportionate penalties, not jackpot justice.
This system discourages hiring, punishes good-faith employers and fails the very workers it was meant to protect. Lawmakers must fix this before more damage is done.
Kenneth S Phillips
Buffalo, Wyo.
Broken political system
“If anyone understands America’s broken political system, it’s Kamala Harris | Opinion,” (sacbee.com, Aug. 2)
Former Vice President Kamala Harris says that our political system is broken. She is certainly correct.
The system our Founding Fathers created gave immense powers to the president. They made the president both the head of state and the head of government. The checks and balances they built in depended on the courts and Congress restraining presidential overreach.
We now have a coalition of six Federalist Society members on the Supreme Court who gave President Donald Trump virtual immunity, and our MAGA-subservient House and Senate has eliminated any checks or balances on the administration.
In the 2026 election, we will have a chance to elect a Congress that will restrain the White House until the 2028 presidential election.
Terrence Dunn
Roseville