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Green infrastructurewill help defend coasts
Re: “Sea lions adapt to squeeze play” (Page A1, Jan. 15).
Given the heightened presence of storm activity off of California’s coast due to climate change, Santa Cruz’s Municipal Wharf collapse illustrates the dangers of doing nothing to improve coastal infrastructure. As ocean storm patterns change, state legislators should consider enforcing green infrastructure (“living shorelines”) in coastal communities to protect structures and marine species.
According to the California Department of Fish and Wildlife, at least 10 coastal public piers were closed for all or part of 2024 because of structural damage caused by ocean storms. Debris from destroyed structures could harm the California sea lion and other marine species once those materials enter the water. Implementing living shorelines can reduce erosion better than sea walls.
Santa Cruz has asked community members to report any observed wharf debris. Looking ahead, requiring local governments to utilize green infrastructure is a feasible mitigation strategy state legislators should consider to protect our coast.
Marie BlackardSacramento
Deposit on recyclablesshould be called tax
Why is the California Redemption Value charged for beverages called a “deposit”? One is charged from 5 cents to 25 cents per container (can, bottle or box) and one is supposed to be able to reclaim that amount when the container is recycled.
In reality, the opportunities to reclaim that “deposit” are so limited that it is next to impossible. I believe in protecting the environment through recycling but why don’t we call it what it is — a fee or possibly even a tax?
Who knows, if it were deemed a tax one might be able to claim it as a part of one’s itemized deductions on income tax, assuming the limitation on state and local income taxes (SALT) is amended.
Darcy A. JohnsonBrentwood
Local taxes compoundhigh electricity bills
Re: “Soaring electric bills could thwart green energy push” (Page A8, Jan. 9).
The article doesn’t mention that heavy local taxes further drive up many electric bills. Berkeley, for example, adds a 7.5% Utility Users’ Tax to my electric bill.
It is ironic that Berkeley’s clean energy ideology is trampled by its even stronger appetite for maximally taxing its residents and businesses in every way imaginable. Even the Ava “clean energy” portion of the bill has the 7.5% Berkeley Tax plopped on, thereby actually discouraging electrification.
Berkeley should eliminate electricity taxes and instead begin living within its means by reducing overtime misuse, avoiding unnecessary, overly expensive, future projects like the recent overbudget $10 million North Berkeley Senior Center remodel, and abandoning grandiose plans for unneeded projects like the $158 million proposed Civic Center remodel.
By overtaxing basic services like clean electricity, cities like Berkeley greatly harm their struggling businesses, residents and society at large.
Barbara SacksBerkeley
Trump shows truecolors as L.A. burns
Once again President Donald Trump is showing us his true colors. During this time of the L.A. fires when California needs support, empathy and compassion from the nation’s commander-in-chief, all we are getting is an attempt to blame state and local leaders.
This serves to alienate California from the rest of the country. Trump seems to want to be the divider-in-chief.
Peggy MoyersOakland
DOGE an example ofright-wing deep state
Re: “Inside DOGE’s plan to cut costs” (Page A1, Jan. 13).
President Trump’s so-called Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), planned in secret, is a group of handpicked billionaires to be embedded in government agencies, with an agenda of cost-cutting and deregulation.
Cost-cutting? Why not start with presidential perks and the billionaires’ tax breaks that have not helped the economy? And deregulation? Do we really want our food, drugs and transportation rendered unsafe and tax evasion rendered easier by an emasculated Internal Revenue Service?
Although, technically, only Congress has the power to cut spending, DOGE will have the ear of a president to whom a majority of legislators are beholden. Sounds like a real deep state in the making.
Karen Lee CohenWalnut Creek
Dangerous Patel mustbe kept from FBI role
I am concerned about most of President Donald Trump’s cabinet nominees, but one strikes me as particularly potentially dangerous to democracy: Kash Patel for FBI director.
He is loyal to the incoming president, not the people. He has declared war on the media, created an enemies list, talked about revoking security clearances, and promoted a rigged election conspiracy. I am old enough to remember Cointelpro and studying the effects of J. Edgar Hoover’s FBI. We cannot go down those roads again.
We must insist, via calls and letters, that Sens. Alex Padilla and Adam Schiff vote no to the confirmation of Kash Patel.
Sharyl LarsonOakland