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State’s child supportinterest hurts families
Re. “California keeps millions in child support while parents drown in debt,” May 4:
It’s disgusting knowing that the California government can tax child support at an outrageous 10% interest rate.
Many families are struggling in these times of worry. Not all parents who owe child support have a dependable source of income. As parents fall behind on their monthly payments, an unfair interest rate of 10% percent is attached to their dues. Some children only receive half of their support due to the unfair collections from our state government.
The state government needs to forgive the debt or lower the interest rate of parents who fall behind on their monthly payments. The financial support of a child is crucial for their upbringing.
Ethan LoeraSan Jose
Proposed landmarktoo costly to birdlife
Re. “New S.J. landmark OK’d, gets backlash,” Page A1, May 6:
Every year on Sept. 11, New York City shines two “towers” of lights into the sky, all night long, to commemorate those lost on 9/11. The lights are shone from the rooftop of a parking garage in lower Manhattan.
Fall is migration season, and thousands of warblers fly over the city each night. City lights interfere with their directional instinct. In 2015 I volunteered with New York City Audubon to count the birds. If the numbers got high enough, the city would turn off the lights for 20 minutes to allow the birds to reorient themselves and fly on.
We laid on our backs on the roof of the garage, watching the birds circling the light towers, peeping in confusion. Often one would fall to the ground in exhaustion, dead. It was one of the most heartbreaking things I’ve ever done. San Jose’s new “art” isn’t worth it.
Amy YeeSan Jose
Adjuster’s estimationof judge off the mark
Notwithstanding the observation of an insurance adjuster who neglected to mute his microphone as he observed a trial presided over by Judge Roberta Hayashi (“Mic catches insurance rep saying ‘judge is an idiot’ in trial,” Page B1, May 5), Judge Hayashi is the person least like an idiot that the adjuster has encountered.
I am an attorney who has had many professional experiences with Roberta Hayashi since I met her some thirty years ago. I know that she is universally regarded as one of the most competent attorneys in Santa Clara County.
I know that during her six years as a judge she has maintained the outstanding reputation that she earned as an attorney. The adjuster should be well pleased that the trial was being presided over by Judge Hayashi.
One wonders how we should describe the guy who forgot to mute his microphone.
Brian PrestonPortola Valley
Mays’ kindnessleft its mark
Thursday was Willie Mays’ 90th birthday.
In my opinion, Mays is the greatest player of all time. But my Mays story is much more personal and “soft.”
As a 10-year-old kid in Chicago, my dad took me and my sister to a Cubs vs. Giants game. After the game, as we were leaving, a group of Andy Frain ushers, reputed to be the best in the world, were escorting Willie up to a post-game show. They knocked my little sister down.
Willie Mays – Willie Mays! – stopped the group, helped my sister up, and told her, “Excuse them. They need more manners.”
Happy birthday, sir.
George LicinaCampbell
Column shows needfor government 401Ks
Re. “Pending bill opens door to CalPERS corruption,” Page A7, May 4:
Columnist Dan Walters writes that Assembly Bill 386 will allow the California Public Employees’ Retirement System (CalPERS) board members and administrators to make lending decisions with CalPERS assets “on their own without outside scrutiny” as a way to increase higher investment returns needed to reduce the Systems’ estimated 71% unfunded liability of about $160 billion.
Unsustainable defined benefit pension funding problems led most private sector companies to eliminate them in favor of 401K pensions plans with employee and employer contributions.
It’s past the time that public sector employers transition to 401K plans; thereby allowing employees to take greater control over their pension assets while giving taxpayers needed tax relief.
But California government labor unions can be expected to vigorously fight any such commonsensical but inevitable idea.
Jerry MungaiSan Jose
Cutting capital gainstax will net more cash
I agree with Bill Musgrave’s letter that President Biden’s plan will transform America (“Biden’s $6 trillion plan will transform nation,” Page A6, May 5). However, President Biden’s plan is not fundable due to a massive misunderstanding of capital gains tax by the administration.
The capital gains tax was designed to be an incentive to investors to own and make long-term investments and protect their gains from inflation. Capital gain is a voluntary tax, and unless motivated out of need, the investor chooses to liquidate and pay taxes. The higher the tax rate the less motivation to sell. The less motivation to sell the fewer dollars the government will see.
Instead of focusing on punishing the rich (job No. 1 for Sens. Bernie Sanders and Elizabeth Warren), the administration should focus on getting the money. That can be done by lowering the rate and lengthening the hold period beyond one year for capital gains. That would accomplish their goal of getting enough money for infrastructure.
John WorthingAtherton
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