Challenge to Proposition 13

It is unfortunate that Assembly majority leader Tom Hannigan in his Column Left (“Protect the Vulnerable, Limit Revenue,” Feb. 24) could offer no substantive fiscal alternatives to employ if the discriminatory portions of Proposition 13 are held to be unconstitutional.

He should have suggested a plan to eliminate by tax reform the destructive land speculation, which has both made affordable housing impossible for millions of Californians, and is a major factor in inducing industry to move to other states where land is cheaper and affordable housing for both executives and workers is available.

And Assemblyman Hannigan might have suggested a way to remove all the punitive fees, permit costs and tax discrimination against improvers of property that have forced many California contractors to the edge of insolvency.

STANLEY M. SAPIRO, Malibu