Good causes forstate’s value of dwelling
Re: “New research shows California cost of living keeps increasing” (Web page A6, Nov. 26).
I discover the assertion from Dave McCulloch, chairman of the conservative Transparency Basis, in Dan Walters’ column about the price of dwelling in California, blaming (spoiler alert) politicians for California’s affordability issues, to be each true and laughable.
As I instructed one new resident a long time in the past, “It’s the sunshine tax.” Simply take a look at the nationwide climate map all year long, and also you’ll discover a smorgasbord of undesirable mixtures of nationwide climate occasions year-round.
California’s climate isn’t excellent, and we do have the odd earthquake and — with world warming — elevated fireplace hazard, however that’s being addressed. It’s known as “government,” and sure, good roads, good social applications and good public providers do value extra.
It’s a number of ideas: Name them “supply and demand,” coupled with a responsive authorities. I’m shocked the conservative “Transparency” Basis has not heard of the previous idea and appears fantastic with rejecting the latter.
Doug McClellandBrentwood
Sooner or later, taxesmust be paid equally
Re: “Inheritance levy target of repeal” (Web page A1, Nov. 30).
The article paints a one-sided image of the tax scenario relating to inherited houses.
There have been a number of modifications to Proposition 13 tax exemptions because it was first handed, and it’s regrettable that an individual should promote a house they’ve inherited for monetary causes. However it’s equally regrettable that two owners on the identical road pay wildly completely different taxes primarily based on whether or not they inherited or purchased their houses. If you inherit a $2 million residence in California, you escape the capital beneficial properties appreciation and solely pay elevated property tax on the worth over $1 million. That’s a fantastic deal that’s not out there to renters or many different residents.
The unique regulation was handed 47 years in the past to maintain seniors of their houses, to not profit their heirs in perpetuity. Sooner or later, equity requires that taxes be shared equally by everybody, no matter inheritance standing.
Philip HoodWalnut Creek
Media ought to givefull image of protests
Re: “UC Berkeley in Fed crosshairs” (Web page A1, Nov. 12).
However media shops deal with the actions of just some exterior agitators when protecting nonviolent protests, particularly when selecting images and video photographs. That’s the case for the protest of the latest Turning Level USA occasion at UC Berkeley.
At greatest, the precise protest is described approach down within the tales. However the five-hour protest involving a whole bunch of individuals really included dancing, bubbles and an inflatable unicorn costume, along with shouting and chanting at police and Kirk supporters attending the TPUSA occasion — with out main incidents. It’s time to characteristic these different images.
Jennifer HuberEl Sobrante
Residents should demandUS not abandon Ukraine
Aggression and the unlawful conquering of one other nation or its territory have to be resisted in any respect prices. Britain and France allowed Hitler to grab a part of Czechoslovakia “to preserve the peace,” and battle broke out inside the 12 months. Putin’s efforts to recreate a higher Russia primarily based on the borders of the outdated Soviet Union have to be opposed now, earlier than extra territory is seized.
The United Nations is powerless to behave. It’s as much as us to demand that Trump not abandon a individuals who solely want to stay freely.
Roger WoodFremont
Opinion piece misleadson immigration numbers
Re: “50-year loans won’t solve housing crisis” (Web page A6, Nov. 28).
I agree with E.J. Antoni’s op-ed, till I learn his lie: “the Biden Administration flooded the country with over 10 million illegal aliens.”
Not true.
Proper-wing media lied to the world’s poor that the border was “open” when Joe Biden took workplace, however, in line with the Pew Analysis Heart, Aug. 21, 2025, from an roughly 10.5 million January 2021 baseline to an estimated 14 million as of late 2023/early 2024, represented a internet enhance of solely 3.5 million undocumented people — not 10 million because the Heritage Basis’s chief economist misrepresented.
Disgrace on him.
Edward ChaineyRichmond
Flip Trump’s justiceon his misdeeds
President Trump has dedicated many wrongs, been criminally convicted of some, and is liable for deaths in the course of the Jan. 6 rebellion. He’s severely broken our society by pitting half the folks towards the opposite half and thru his election-cheating and energy grabs.
His administration granted asylum to the Nationwide Guard capturing suspect. As his reverse migration coverage turns to revoking the standing of even authorized immigrants (as a result of if one particular person does one thing dangerous, each member of his group must be punished and each promise may be damaged with out consequence), I collect Trump might be returned to the nation of his household’s final origin, Germany.
Jay ChafetzWalnut Creek
