Hey, Lisa Kaplan: Why do I have to pay to cut city-owned lawns? | Opinion

More taxes, less services

“North Natomas council race heats up in Sacramento,” (sacbee.com, April 30)

Sacramento City Councilmember Lisa Kaplan is touting her proven record of results in her reelection campaign, but nothing could be further from the truth.

NorthPointe residents were notified in 2024 of an increase to the city tax we pay to maintain the city lawns and greenbelt adjacent to our homes. We were also told that the services would decrease from weekly to twice a month. In other words: more taxes for less services.

We’re trying to keep a clean and safe neighborhood. I attended a city council meeting on behalf of the neighborhood to ask the council to keep their lawn mowed. Nothing has changed.

As a disabled low-income senior, I now pay my gardener extra to mow the city’s lawn for them.

Sam Ciraulo

Sacramento

Government overreach

“Cardroom regulations threaten jobs and city tax revenue,” (sacbee.com, May 5)

Apparently unsatisfied with over $12 billion in gambling revenues accrued annually, California tribes want to eliminate their competition and are using Attorney General Rob Bonta to do their bidding.

Banning black jack and poker games which have been lawful in this state for decades seems a bit of an overreach. Thousands of individuals who work in the gaming industry will likely lose their jobs, and local cities will lose the taxes these games generate.

Bill Motmans

Sacramento

Transparency is paramount

“As California’s spending grows, so has the state’s workforce and salary costs,” (sacbee.com, May 5)

Considering that Californians are not only facing high gas prices, housing issues and budget deficits, the California government’s expansion deserves more scrutiny than it is being given.

Before even thinking about expanding payrolls further, California should focus on making a transparent, accountable, prosperous state.

Alexander Castaneda

Stockton

How to increase nursing workforce

“Report shows California health care jobs pay, but waitlists clog college on-ramp,” (sacbee.com, Dec. 4, 2025)

California says it needs more nurses, but the pathway to become one feels like a locked door. The problem is clear: Community college programs are affordable, but too limited, and students are pushed toward expensive private programs.

As a working nursing student, I feel this pressure personally. Some students are trying to build a future while barely being able to keep their lights on. If California wants nurses, it has to stop treating nursing education like a privilege.

The state should expand community college seats, pay nursing faculty enough to teach and help cover clinical-related costs.

Kristina Nunez

Tracy