New Times / Letter To The Editor

The environment is a priority

Gerald Manata

I have read a number of articles lately that discuss what the Democrats should do with their supermajority in California.

The first thing they should do is declare a state of emergency. Things are that bad. Since propositions 30 and 39 passed, there is a glimmer of hope, but much more needs to be done. There needs to be restructuring, and new laws need to be passed covering labor, education, health care, and the criminal justice system. There need to be more cuts and tax increases, but not the across-the-board-kind. They can and need to be specifically targeted not only to pay down debt, but also to create jobs and protect our environment.

As far as our environment goes, our state’s land, water, and air resources are being attacked and exploited at an unsustainable rate. The Legislature should have the courage to face this problem with dramatic legislation. After all, if we have a climate and ecosystems no longer synchronized with human life, if we have no clean air to breathe, clean water to drink, or unpolluted land on which to raise healthy food, what else matters?