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Governments shouldn’t
pay off delinquent rent
Re: “Local governments should help with rent aid” (Page A12, Nov. 12).
This letter writer may have good intentions by suggesting that local governments help with current rent due rather than expecting property owners to provide free housing again to solve the reported “tsunami” of eviction cases.
A problem with this solution is that local governments’ help would come from using the revenue received from taxpayers either directly or indirectly. In addition, such a solution will very likely set a precedent and, in turn, the expectation by some, if not all, renters that they can live rent-free if they don’t pay rent regardless of their capacity to pay rent.
Kirit Shah
Fremont
Utilities shouldn’t see
RMDs for income
Concerning the proposed PG&E utility tax, it’s worth noting that not all of the income shown on a tax return is current income.
Many of us are required to take Required Minimum Distributions (RMDs) which must be included on the total income line for the taxes to be collected. That total, however, will make it look as if you’re currently earning more than is the case.
Hopefully, the taxing authorities will frown on divulging any such information to the utility companies so they can further access what they deem to be the deep pockets of their customers.
Nancy L. Morris
Walnut Creek
Column is short on how
homelessness was cut
Re: “California can take a lesson from Houston” (Page A6, Nov. 8).
Sara Martinez proudly states that over the past decade, Houston has reduced homelessness by more than 60% and by 2015 veteran homelessness to virtually zero. She says the progress is well documented and that “an end to chronic homelessness is tantalizingly in sight.”
Upon reading this claim I was tantalized to know exactly how this was accomplished but sorely disappointed by the remainder of the column which consisted of generic bromides about hard work, pragmatism, selfless determination, setting aside individual priorities and committing to the collective impact.
Housing the homeless is mainly a question of money even in a community with relatively affordable real estate. Did the mayor of Houston deliver the funds for this massive effort? What was the budget for this project? What happened 10 years ago to trigger this cultural sea change?
Tom McVeigh
Pleasant Hill
Armchair QBs won’t
solve Gaza crisis
Re: “Biden’s two-state solution goal won’t be easy” (Page A7, Nov. 9).
Historically, the “two-state solution” has been tried over and over again and failed every time. Neither Israel nor Hamas has even recommended one this time.
It’s easy for armchair quarterbacks to pose questions like “What about the day after?” But Hamas simply wants to kill all Jews and would use a cease-fire to continue their quest, while the Jews’ part of the bargain would be to just sit back and prepare for the next slaughter.
It seems to me that Hamas acted like monsters on Oct. 7, continues to do so until today, and blaming the careful response by Jews is bizarre. But I’m becoming one of those armchair quarterbacks. I suggest we let the people on the ground decide for themselves what’s best for them.
Daniel Mauthe
Livermore
