Lawler would bring independent voice

In endorsing a Democrat for Assembly District 28, you acknowledge that the only Republican in the race, Monte Sereno Councilwoman Liz Lawler, is “well-versed on the issues,” and also that her goal is “to restore balance to the … one-party rule in the Legislature,” but you don’t endorse her, concluding that her “conservative approach” would make her “ineffective” in Sacramento.

With respect, adding Liz’s “conservative approach” to Sacramento, rather than being “ineffective,” would provide a much-needed independent voice in the Assembly.

— Lon Allan, Monte Sereno

With management, grid is ready for all-electric

Converting from natural gas to electric appliances in our homes will overburden our electrical grid, according to Lisa Krieger’s article in the Mercury News (“All-electric homes are the future; the grid isn’t ready,” Page A1, May 11). In the same Mercury News issue, Ted Reis says in his published letter that the electrical grid is getting too much electricity from rooftop solar (“PG&E has solar conversion backward,” Page A6, May 11). What’s the disconnect here?

Granted, balancing inflows and outflows of electricity is difficult, especially given that solar and wind sources are intermittent and so are best managed with storage of electricity built into the system. Clearly, we need effective long-range planning and excellent management of our electrical grid.

Such planning depends upon more uniform predictability in our supply of electricity over the long term. That’s another reason why we need a carbon fee and dividend policy in our country.

As Congress considers a new reconciliation bill, ask your member of Congress to include carbon pricing in the bill.

— Rob Hogue, Menlo Park

County needs mandatory water restrictions

It is ridiculous that Santa Clara County used 30% more water in March than it did in 2019.

Even more ridiculous is that there are no mandatory restrictions or fines for excessive water use. We have known that we are in a drought for a long time. One wonders what is the hold-up.

— Bob Roy, Sunnyvale

Take action now for our next fire season

Fire season has always been a big challenge in California. We need to prepare for fire, work to reduce future fires and find a way to improve the dire conditions for the long run.

Global warming and wildfire are inextricably linked. Global warming causes the temperature to increase, which contributes to fire hazards. Let’s work together to slow down global warming by decreasing carbon dioxide from exhaust gas emissions and promoting low-carbonate transportation.

We must take action all the time, and not just when summer gets here.

— Yixin Guo, San Jose

Change punishment for sex crimes in Roe’s wake

With Roe v. Wade threatened to be overruled and women’s rights denied, it is time to make men more accountable for their actions.

Three million women in the United States have experienced rape-related pregnancy. These pregnancies result from rape, attempted rape, incest and criminal sexual penetration.

More serious consequences for those found guilty are required to assure women’s safety.

If convicted the law needs to require sterilization and/or castration along with a sentence served for this most serious felony. Men need to be held accountable. Upon becoming pregnant from this violent trauma women face a life-changing decision: to abort or not to abort while the man walks away unscathed.

Let us eliminate sexual abusers and rapists and deter repeat offenders. Women must be allowed to decide what is best for their own bodies instead of men or a court of law. Change punishment, change minds.

— Susan Dillon, Morgan Hill

Will ‘pro-life’ Court take on guns next?

This week’s news has trumpeted the euphoric response of the extreme right to the (leaked) opinion of the majority on the Supreme Court overturning the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision. Given the stated assertions that their activism against abortion is rooted in a strong “pro-life” stance, I await the activists coalescing next to fight the gun lobby and the growing gun violence our country is experiencing.

What can be more “pro-life” than taking a strong stand banning the use of guns and assault rifles against our fellow citizens in churches, malls, schools, the streets we walk?

That’s an “extreme” fight I can join.

— Kathleen Duryea, Los Gatos

Setting the record straight

An op-ed by Matt Mahan in Tuesday’s Opinion pages of the Mercury News misstated the percentage by which Mahan believes San Jose should reduce the rate of homelessness each year for the next 10 years in order for San Jose and Santa Clara County elected officials and senior staff to get raises. The correct number is 10%.