Gov. Wilson’s Proposed Budget Cuts

Gov. Wilson, in his inaugural address, unquestionably placed the welfare of children as his highest priority. Yet, when he unveiled his budget, it was our children’s future which was most placed in jeopardy through devastating cuts to education and other family services.

The Times is correct that Wilson faces a Herculean task in using the options he has to resolve the budget crisis (editorial, “The Birth of a Salesman,” Jan. 12). But it may be time to face the fact that new revenue beyond candy and alcohol taxes is needed to fund the escalating costs of programs necessary for our growing population. Once again, women, children and the middle class are being forced to accept the brunt of the budget deficit when just three years ago the very wealthiest Californians received a reduction of approximately 20% in their tax bills.

Education is willing to contribute its fair share toward solving the budget crisis, but it cannot be the bank from which other rapidly growing state programs are funded. We hope Wilson will match his funding priorities with the policy priorities we all applauded on inauguration day.

ED FOGLIA, President, California Teachers Assn.

DAVID BROWN, President, Assn. of California School Administrators, Sacramento