How Do People Feel About This And Illegals?the $21 Billion Question?

The $21 billion questionhttp://www.napavalleyregister.com/articl…
Bill Kisliuk
From the Editor
After state voters sent the May 19 budget measures down in flames, Register Online Editor Dan Ross turned to our readers to ask how they would help answer the state’s $21 billion question.
The responses were provocative and wide-ranging. Many writers showed a willingness to see major cultural changes in California in order to improve the state’s bottom line.
• “Decriminalize marijuana for heavily-taxed sale in specially-permitted establishments,” stated one.
The war over marijuana has been waged for decades now. The current state of affairs in Northern California is that local authorities often look the other way, while the feds still consider the substance an illegal narcotic. Meanwhile agencies — both state and federal — bust large growing operations often linked to weapons and trespassing on public lands.
It would be a surprise to many if economic necessity became the deciding point in this debate. One pro-pot writer got his message down to the bullet points: “Force drug dealers out of our schools, end the power of the cartels, eliminate the budget deficit. Call your legislators today!”
• Similarly, one writer called for an end to the death penalty, as it would end the Byzantine and expensive appeals process.
• A few readers said it is time to let casinos operate more widely in the state. Surely it is true that tons of California dollars support Nevada government coffers after being left inside slots or on the felt at casinos in Las Vegas, Reno or South Lake Tahoe. But several casinos already exist within a morning’s drive of Napa.
Some ideas, such as the suggestion that what Napa really needs is an ice-skating rink for teens, never die. “Turn Alcatraz into a hotel-casino,” stated one writer.
• “Cut the time spent and pay of our state politicians from full time to half time, so they can’t create a bigger mess than what they have already done.”
The savings from instituting a part-time Legislature might not balance the budget, but then it might focus the mind when lawmakers are in session. On the other hand, whose to say that half-time lawmakers couldn’t make as big a mess as full-time ones?
• “Increase the tax on cigarettes $2 a pack. Increase statewide gasoline tax $1 a gallon. Increase all liquor taxes $2 per 750 ml.”
Ah, sin taxes. More may be on the way. But just to prove anything can be a wedge issue, one conservative commentator used this idea to skewer latte liberals: “$1 tax on a cup of Starbucks coffee. Double that if it has whipped cream or chocolate in it.”
That could balance the budget right there.