I just read the comments about Lani Lutar, as well as the questions you asked of her. I’m a relatively new member of the SDTPA and don’t know either Lani’s or the Taxpayer’s positions well. My initial impression of the organization is that, if it errs, it is in not being aggressive enough about cutting public sector compensation. I’m squarely behind Lani in focusing, almost exclusively, on the expense side of things. Over the top public sector pay and, particularly, benefits are destroying the fiscal health of our state and almost every municipality in it. Even very worthwhile and relatively inexpensive programs are being cut. Taxpayers are loosing the battle — in fact, it isn’t even close. The financial condition of California is rated by Forbes magazine as 47/50; the city of San Diego has been tying to walk back from the precipice, with relatively little progress, for several years; La Mesa and El Cajon have increased sales taxes and despite that remain in weak financial positions; Lemon Grove, Del Mar and Solana Beach are considering tax increases, and so it goes. Through all of this, public employee unions have given in very little, if any. As you know, they are a powerful force in our state and there is relatively little opposition to them. The CFFR pension reform ballot measures were recently pulled — I believe at the request of Meg Whitman. She seems afraid to take on the unions (I don’t think it’s possible to save the state fiscally without significant pension reform and other concessions from the Unions). Public sector unions are the 600 pound gorilla and they have had their way for far too long. Taxpayer organizations are relatively small and weak by comparison. That is why we are in such an awful mess. I don’t think it is possible to focus on cutting public sector spending too much.