Let me get this straight: You can work for the state of California and earn a six-figure salary (paid for by the taxpayer), cash out all of your unused vacation and sick days (at your current pay, not the money you were making when you earned the days), retire at 53 and collect 90% of your salary — and then take another job with the state and start the whole thing over again?
And Gov. Jerry Brown wants to raise my taxes? It would seem that I am paying plenty.
Joe Abele
Sherman Oaks
I retired in 1988 after teaching for 32 years in California's public schools. It hasn't been easy, but I have been able to be financially independent because of the retirement security I receive through the teachers' pension system.
However, this retirement security does not provide medical insurance. Also, I am penalized by the federal windfall elimination provision and the government pension offset, even though I was married 49 years.
I suggest that The Times interview retired educators of all ages.
Leona Wenrick
Costa Mesa
Section 8 woes
Re "Curbing Section 8 harassment," Editorial, Jan. 27
It appears that because the L.A. County Board of Supervisors cut off funding for housing investigators in the Antelope Valley, the charges that Section 8 residents in the Antelope Valley were being unfairly targeted must be true.
But according to Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich, 91% of Section 8 terminations have been upheld. It seems there may be some fire here.
Now that the Antelope Valley will share the three inspectors for the entire county, I predict there will be fewer Section 8 violations. Of course, if you remove California Highway Patrol officers from the Antelope Valley, there will be many fewer traffic violations on state Highway 14.
What The Times is advocating is more fraud on taxpayers.
Curt Redecker
Lancaster
Get real
Re "Home loan aid program extended," Business, Jan. 28
I support efforts to assist homeowners who are current on their loans to refinance. I just as strongly oppose any efforts to assist investors purchasing rentals.
Why should we expend national resources to assist them if the private market won't? Is the next step to help investors who lose money in the stock market?
Two questions must be asked: Who is going to pay for this? And is it worth it?
I don't think helping real estate investors answers either question satisfactorily.
Brian J. Sheppard
Encino
