Mailbag: A new tax won’t save California schools

Re. “Apodaca: Public education hangs in the balance Nov. 6,” (Column, Oct. 7):

Patrice Apodaca pleads with the readers to get behind passing Proposition 30 to fund public education in California.

On the surface, it sounds reasonable, but she also makes the point on why we should vote no. It is delusional to think we should send more money to the Democrats in Sacramento and trust them do the right thing. They are in the tank with the teachers unions and have no restraint in reducing spending.

Proposition 30 doesn’t reform anything about schools, pensions or cut waste and bureaucracy. It can’t be changed for 12 years if fraud is charged, and the new taxes are sure to encourage more businesses to move out of the state. The Democrats think we are all just one more tax from being fixed.

Terry Johnston

Newport Beach

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Soup kitchen

Does Costa Mesa Mayor Eric Bever just want them to starve (“Bever targets soup kitchen,” Oct. 4)?

I have tried to make as many contributions (however small) to Someone Cares Soup Kitchen. The facility is amazing and full of caring volunteers. I think it is important to help those less fortunate. Costa Mesa city officials need to help these people, not try to fight those who are.

Linda Reed

Corona del Mar

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Measure EE

I am writing this letter in response to Mayor Nancy Gardner’s recent statements in the Daily Pilot concerning the proposed amendments to the city charter (“Why I urge support for Newport Measure EE,” Oct. 7).

These amendments are not just “cleanup.” There are multiple points that are adverse to the interests of citizens and the public, buried in the lengthy laundry list.

For the benefit of the community, I have listed key concerns below with comments:

1.) Limitation/prohibition of class action lawsuits against the city. This proposal is unconstitutional and of questionable legality. Individuals and collective groups are legally entitled as a matter of right to seek remedy, up through and including through the legal system.

2.) Looser or conflict of interest regulations. There have already been repeated issues and concerns with Newport Beach city government and officials. If anything, the regulations should be tightened and not loosened.

3.) Blanket authority for the city to set up off-site offices. The city is already building a Civic Center more than three times the scale and cost of what the city needs. And also more than three times the expense of that approved by citizens.

Denys H. Oberman

Newport Beach