Defeat of Props. 158, 159

Perhaps the Times might investigate why Proposition 158 (office of California analyst) and Proposition 159 (office of auditor general) were defeated--I am at a loss! These offices are politically independent and have served as legislative watchdogs--uncovering government waste and saving the taxpayers of this state millions of dollars!

These offices are designed to hold government bureaucrats accountable and were endorsed by the California Manufacturers Assn., California Teachers Assn., California Business Alliance, and many other responsible organizations concerned with better government. With the state budget mess of this past year and the gridlock in Sacramento still lingering, what on Earth were the voters thinking about when they voted these propositions down?

RAMONA ZuTAVERN

Laguna Beach