Make taxation fair

Re “Mayor focuses on crime,” April 15

When gasoline reached $3.50 a gallon, I began commuting on an electric scooter: My costs decreased from $3 to 20 cents per commute. With rising natural gas costs, I put on a sweater and lowered the thermostat to 65 degrees. When my water bill was high, I tore out my landscaping and bought a front-loading washing machine.

With all these costs, I have options, and I only pay for what I consume. The problem with the trash fee is that everyone pays the same whether they recycle everything or not.

If the mayor is truly concerned about charging what the service actually costs, then a system should be devised that charges the “black-trashers” more than the recyclers. The system could be as simple as a bar-code label on each container that is scanned as it is picked up.

If such an option is not provided, then other businesses will suffer. Just as the mayor proposes $1.50 in cuts for every $1 in hikes, households will be forced to reduce cable TV or newspaper subscriptions by the amount of any monopolistic and uncontrollable trash collection fee.

Philip Ginter

Sunland

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The mayor and the City Council are busily raising taxes on property owners by increasing trash pickup fees and raising DWP rates, which were already raised just last year. Why should property owners be wholly responsible for new tax hikes?

Maybe the state should raise sales taxes and send a rebate to the city, which would spread the burden to the general public.

Another source of revenue should be that all foreign nationals pay for public services. If they are unable to pay, their country of origin should be billed. If their government refuses to pay, their assets in this country should be eligible for seizure.

If government officials and employers insist on keeping foreign nationals here, then officials and employers should make sure all debts, public and private, are paid.

Jack McConnachie

San Pedro