A tax break for Trump
EDITOR: Donald Trump says he will eliminate income taxes on Social Security. But it turns out 60% of people already don’t pay taxes on Social Security. Who pays? Wealthy people. Who would benefit from this tax break? Wealthy people like … Donald Trump. Just another Trump tax break for himself.
BOB HESSE
Sonoma
The real Measure J
EDITOR: I read Measure J and I couldn’t find a single word about animal welfare. There are already laws in California governing the treatment of farm animals, but Measure J would not add any further protections. Measure J would shut down farms of a certain size in Sonoma County.
When farms shut down, it doesn’t just affect the owners; it disrupts the entire local economy built around the farming community. That includes small farms that may have to pay higher prices when feed companies and other farm suppliers go out of business or raise prices due to loss of customers.
Do not be distracted by all the press about animal cruelty. If you think eating meat is cruel, you have every right to be a vegan. I support you. I hope you will support our local economy by voting no on J.
DEANNA ISSEL
Santa Rosa
Library offerings
EDITOR: As one of the two library commissioners appointed by the Santa Rosa City Council, I would like to make a few comments in support of Measure W.
Since 2016, when the existing tax was approved, the library system has grown dramatically. In 2016, the branches were closed Sundays and Mondays. Now we are open seven days a week. Our collection of books, DVDs and the wide variety of electronic services we provide free of charge is also much larger than it was eight years ago. In addition, we provide hundreds of programs per year at the branches and elsewhere in the county, including summer lunch programs for children.
Providing all these services requires people. Moving thousands of books around the system requires people. Nothing happens by magic.
We have an active, independent citizen oversight committee. Our staff meets with the committee regularly, and the committee publishes a detailed evaluation of our spending annually. In addition, we have had “clean” audits by our outside auditors every year.
If our current sales tax funding is not renewed, we will no longer have expanded service hours, and our purchases of materials and services will shrink.
DAVID CAHILL
Santa Rosa
Supporting Measure J
EDITOR: It simply isn’t true that Measure J will put small farms out of business. Based on the text, an estimated 21 existing farms would qualify as large CAFOs subject to the requirements of Measure J. They could comply by modifying their operations.
The false fearmongering is based on the speculation that Measure J will lead to subsequent regulation of smaller farms. It’s a slippery slope argument with no basis in reality. Measure J is a moderate measure that limits the largest concentrated feeding operations.
While Sonoma County is known for its hundreds of small farms, there are around 20 large CAFOs in the County, including one confining over 500,000 birds with little or no room to move.
These large CAFOs are major polluters. Waste is often stored in open pits, leading to water pollution and threatening wildlife. Nearly every stream and river in Sonoma County is impaired by nitrogen or phosphorus, of which animal waste from CAFOs is a primary source. Measure J will protect vital watersheds, like the Petaluma River and Sonoma Creek.
The no campaign must be financed by people with vested interests. I have no such interests. No one is paying me to endorse Measure J.
JERRY BERNHAUT
Santa Rosa
Yes on Measure I
EDITOR: Child care is a critical need for young families, especially here in Sonoma County where in order to live both parents need to work. Since the pandemic it has become an increasingly difficult struggle for parents of young children to find quality care. Since 2020, Sonoma County has lost 40% of available child care openings. Many programs have closed due to high operating costs that are required to manage quality programs. In addition, low wages paid to early childhood teachers significantly impact recruitment and retention of qualified staff.
Measure I will provide desperately needed support for early childhood education programs and directly benefit young families and their children. Similar measures have been effectively implemented throughout the state. Let’s provide a rich and robust start for our young children. Please vote yes on Measure I.
MISSY DANNEBERG
Sebastopol
You can send letters to the editor to letters@pressdemocrat.com.
