RE: "Cool air, not hot scandal, was the transforming
event in U.S. politics," Dan Walters, June 30:
It seems like every year at this time the topic of
conversation with many of my state-employee friends
turns to the lack of a State budget, and how that will
affect them, and the work they do in civil service.
In previous years we've talked about possible ballot
propositions to stop paying legislators when the
budget deadlines are passed. As the current interpretation
of Prop 98 shows, we'd at least have to pay them
minimum wage. I now think that Dan Walters' insight
about the affect of air-conditioning on politics brings
us to a grander plan. When they're past the budget
deadline, turn off all the air-conditioning in the
capitol.
--Gerald Klaas, Carmichael