Keeley’s tax measure needs accountability

There is about to be a signature gathering drive for an initiative to raise property taxes and real estate transfer taxes, a process initiated by Mayor Fred Keeley.

The announced purpose is for affordable housing – a laudable and much needed measure.

Unfortunately, as noted in a recent Grand Jury finding , there is no process by which the City of Santa Cruz actually monitors who gets this subsidized housing.

If voters are to accept these tax increases, accountability for the funds use is a necessity.

Mayor Keeley can further this process by getting this problem before the City Council and passing an ordinance resolving this major stumbling block promptly before this lapse causes the initiative to fail to pass.

— Fred J. Geiger, Santa Cruz

Laird: Advance rooftop solar with battery storage

I applaud Sen. John Laird’s efforts in his Feb. 6 Sentinel Guest Commentary to hold Vistra, the 2022 number-one CO2 emitter globally, accountable through independent investigations. I also support his legislative work to reduce carbon emissions and move California toward a more sustainable future. I agree that battery storage is necessary for our future.

However, Sen. Laird’s op ed ignores the fact that the energy stored at Moss Landing battery storage facilities is produced by burning natural gas, which makes the argument that “battery storage will reduce CO2” somewhat specious.

Also ignored is that rooftop solar, including local battery storage, is a viable solution but a solution that threatens PG&E’s profits. Consequently, PG&E, supported by lobbying efforts and the California Private Utilities Commission, is trying to kill rooftop solar by claiming it increases your bill. What increases your PG&E bill, folks, is paying for PG&E’s guaranteed Return On Investment of 8-10% for more poles and long wires.

Sen. Laird: Please include rooftop solar with local battery storage in our conversation toward a sustainable future.

— Jeff Rudisill, Aptos

Fix problems with FAA hiring, don’t cast blame

Time to correct another pro-Trump letter!

A letter writer last week claimed that the FAA’s disabilities hiring program was instituted by the Biden administration. Not true! It has existed for over 10 years, and was on the FAA’s website as far back as 2013, and so it existed throughout the entirety of Donald Trump’s first term in office.

Later, the FAA did announce a pilot program to hire controllers with targeted disabilities as listed in that letter (hearing impaired, vision impaired, etc). And when was that program launched? April 11, 2019. And who was president then? Donald J. Trump.

So before writing such a letter, maybe check the facts first? Though Trump never lets facts get in the way of making assessments and assigning blame.

Better yet, why not just fix the darn problem rather than trying to assign blame on everyone else (e.g., Democrats, minorities, immigrants, etc.)?

— Phil Hormel, Scotts Valley

A DOGE to focus on state and local governments

Perhaps after DOGE eliminates some of the massive spending waste at the federal level they can focus on California’s situation. With the highest income, sales and gas taxes in the nation, the results include the worst road conditions in the U.S., educational test results near the bottom and a bankrupt PERS.

A DOLGE (Department of Local Government Efficiency) doesn’t sound like a bad idea either.

— Mike Machado, Corralitos

Musk, DOGE have access to federal payment system

The New York Times reported that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessant granted Elon Musk’s organization DOGE full access to the federal payment system. These payments include Social Security benefits and tax refunds. The Bureau of Fiscal Service which operates the payment system is studiously nonpolitical. Now that politically motivated, non-elected Elon Musk has access to the federal government’s “checkbook,” how secure do you feel about your next Social Security check or Medicare payment or tax refund? This potential meddling by DOGE risks severe damage to our country and the economy. Their reasoning for this move is to identify, prevent and recover fraud. Or perhaps they mean to deny payments to Americans they do not like?

Congress needs to investigate and denounce this move.

— Jenny Evans, Santa Cruz