Tax Ruling Reveals a Double Standard

Re “Tax Panel Vote Is Costly,” Aug. 11: Unbelievable. The Republicans in the state Legislature stood firm against spending, but at the same time two Republicans on the state Board of Equalization, which oversees taxes, handed $6.3 million to two wealthy Silicon Valley computer companies. The companies that will receive the retroactive $6.3-million refund are “double-dipping” and using carry-over tax credits from years past. The Republican Board of Equalization members don’t even constitute a majority; on this one vote, two members recused themselves, due to conflicts, and two votes allowed this ridiculous giveaway to take place.

How can Republicans say, on one hand, that our state spends too much and, with the other hand, give back millions to companies that manipulate the tax laws? They aren’t against spending, just against spending on kids, the elderly, the sick and protecting the environment.

Evelyn Jerome

Santa Monica