CHARGES: The ol' Calif. rip off

Since many states are operating with a deficit, they are creating and thinking of ways to charge more fees and get more money from the residents. We own property in California and just received our property tax bills. Each property got an increase in value and not appropriate to location, size or condition. The L.A. County Assessor apparently just picks a figure and increases your property taxes by that amount. We should bring back Prop. 13 and stop this wholesale robbery. You can contest your increase, but by the time you fill out all the paperwork, appear before the panel, you almost know that you’re not going to get a re-evaluation or any type of decrease.

We recently had a painting contractor paint the interior of three rooms and went to Home Depot in the L.A. area to purchase 3 gallons of Behr interior paint. When we received the bill, there were two charges added to the bill: $1.50 and 75 cents, under the heading of California State Recycling Fee. What is there to recycle when you’re purchasing paint to fix up your property? Yes, I can understand a recycling fee if you’re disposing or returning paint that is of no use. California and Gov. Jerry Brown can think of more gimmicks to rob the citizens. Next he’ll be charging you a fee for the metal gallon containers that the paint is sold in for some gimmick disposal.

This country is going down the tubes fast. God help us.

BILL SINGLETON

Coeur d’Alene