Sac Bee readers react to electric vehicle technology, Kevin Kiley’s Newsom fixation | Opinion

Embrace EVs

“These Six GOP Lawmakers Want to Ban Electric Cars,” (sacbee.com, Jan. 17)

As a California Republican, I believe it’s vital for my party to embrace electric vehicle technology.

It’s no secret that the U.S. is facing economic turmoil, and EVs provide a chance to ease the burden on families. According to a recent report, all-electric vehicles could create over 150,000 jobs by 2030. These are 150,000 more Americans that can put food on their tables, and this cash injection into the economy is needed now more than ever.

We cannot make EVs the enemy; we need to embrace them. With EVs overwhelmingly entering the market, it gives Americans more options when exercising their liberty to choose. And, as Georgia Gov. Brian Kemp said about the Ford Lighting F150, “You’re gonna have a lot of Republicans driving that truck.”

Cole Marting

Bonsall

Improving tech

“Tesla car battery catches fire on Sacramento Highway 50,” (sacbee.com, Jan. 29)

With electric vehicle fires rarely taking place, the fire industry is still working to evolve appropriate methods of response to lithium-ion battery fires. We’re aware that the automotive industry is still working to solve this, and the Institution of Fire Engineers is working closely with alternative energy solutions and fire service sectors to share information and insights that will reduce fire risk.

These discussions have revealed innovations that will make future vehicle batteries safer and less susceptible to fire incidence.

Mark Chubb

Chair and Technical Director, the Institution of Fire Engineers

Opinion

Don’t turn away

“Why is quadriplegic Sacramentan still living in a tent? | Opinion,” (sacbee.com, Jan. 27)

Thank you for your front-page stories that highlight the many faces of homelessness in our region. By writing about individuals, you help us understand different experiences and struggles, are, and the almost insurmountable barriers that some have encountered searching for a safe, clean, dry place to live.

Thank you for also showing us the caregivers and advocates for challenging us to get involved and not to turn away.

Betsy Reifsnider

Sacramento

Portrait of Brown

“Former CA Governor Jerry Brown looks back on life in politics,” (sacbee.com, Jan. 29)

Kudos to Jack Ohman for the wonderful account of his visit with Jerry Brown. Jack painted an engaging picture of Brown, the former governor’s accomplished wife, Anne Gust Brown, and even the couple’s fabulous and beloved dog, Sutter, who probably got as much ink over the years as anyone else.

Ohman’s story was among those one would have said, “I wish ‘I’d written that.” I also especially appreciated Jack’s self-deprecating sense of humor throughout. Thanks to Jack and The Bee for a terrific read.

Estelle Saltzman

Sacramento

Only getting worse

“CA increases SWP water deliveries 6-fold after major storms,” (sacbee.com, Jan. 26)

California is making the right decision to give more money to the State Water Projects in light of this storm. This swing in weather from extreme drought to heavy rain was shocking, but it will not be the last or even the worst California will face in the upcoming years.

Due to global warming, the weather will only continue to get more extreme on both ends. Politicians need to make permanent changes in funding and pay attention to weather infrastructure and protocols. Our government needs to be able to change with our climate. Without their attention, people will suffer.

The 22 people who lost their lives in this storm should be more than a wake-up call to California that our current state is not enough to protect its citizens. We need allocations to reinforce our dams and reservoirs, but also new ideas to combat the dangers of our future weather.

Lucy Hemesath

Sacramento

Another side

“Jury awards $30 million in suit against California nursing home,” (sacbee.com, Jan. 25)

Pine Creek was not contacted for this story, which lacked critical facts. The facility’s ownership changed in 2021, and the current owners had no relation to the facility when Mr. Rios was a resident in 2017.

Mr. Rios’ ability to walk improved considerably as he convalesced after his hip surgery. The facility was limited in its ability to fully defend itself in court, including by not being permitted to tell the jury about its 5-star overall and quality ratings under the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ nursing home rating system at the time of Mr. Rios’ stay.

Plum Healthcare’s private equity firm at the time of the alleged neglect was voluntarily dismissed from the case by plaintiffs in 2021 and not subject to the verdict.

Your readers deserve to hear all sides of the story.

Daniel Kramer

Pine Creek Care Center Spokesperson

Let Gavin go

“New California congressman Kevin Kiley is using his new position to ‘expose’ Gavin Newsom,” (sacbee.com, Jan. 26)

Our district can’t catch a break. For more than a decade, we endured the toxic neglect of Tom McClintock. Now, we’re stuck with this neophyte who can’t let go of his obsession with Gov. Gavin Newsom.

Kiley spent most of his congressional campaign bashing California and wallowing in his unrequited bromance for Newsom. Rarely did he remember or even mention the constituents whose votes he sought.

Now, Kiley has become a fountain of Republican talking points, full of fake outrage and grievance, but woefully short on substance. As Kiley discovered during the failed 2021 recall — when he didn’t even win his own assembly district and finished as the third of four Kevins on the ballot — we already know that his style is full of sound and fury, but signifies nothing. Voters in CA-03 must remind him to pay attention to us and learn to let Gavin go.

Barbara Smith

Auburn