In Christopher Lucero’s July 19 letter, “Multi-Year vs. the Annual Budget,” he dismisses my concern over California’s $2 billion deficit by suggesting I don’t understand math. What he either doesn’t see — or chooses to ignore — is that Californians aren’t upset because they can’t calculate 0.7%. They’re upset because they keep paying more and getting less.
Lucero reduces billions in mismanagement to 0.7% of the budget, as if taxpayers should shrug it off because it’s only a fraction of the whole. But every dollar wasted is not fixing roads, lowering utility bills, or funding schools. Percentages don’t pay bills — dollars do. Californians feel the squeeze in rent, groceries, utilities and gas, and are tired of excuses.
Calling the deficit insignificant while families face rising taxes, utility hikes, gas price increases, and new fees shows a serious disconnect. Lucero misses the point that this shortfall exists within a $322 billion budget — after years of record-breaking revenue — yet we still struggle to deliver basic results.
According to state audits, over $30 billion was lost to Employment Development Department fraud—nearly $24 billion spent on homelessness, with a slight measurable improvement. Pandemic relief funds remain unaccounted for. These aren’t minor oversights — they’re red flags that must be addressed, especially for those eager to minimize them. Lucero’s “Nice try, Nancy” may sound clever, but taxpayers don’t find fraud and waste a laughing matter.
This isn’t about party affiliation. It’s about priorities, accountability and respect for taxpayers. Californians want transparency, not excuses. They want services that work — not ballooning budgets patched with internal borrowing, deferred debts and accounting tricks.
Lucero may be comfortable defending dysfunction. I’m not, and neither are the voters who made their frustrations known at the ballot box. Tone matters. Facts matter. Trust matters. Right now, Sacramento is running dangerously low on all three.
Nancy Fairbanks
Valencia
