The Huntington Beach News encourages readers'
comments and letters. Your comments on any topic of interest
are welcome. We only ask that you keep it brief and in good taste.
Letters must be signed with the writer's name, address and phone
number. The Huntington Beach News reserves the right to edit
all submissions. We cannot accept anonymous letters. So if there's
something that's been on your mind lately, share it with the
readers of the Huntington Beach News. Send your letters to: Letters
to the Editor, Huntington Beach New P.O. Box 228 Huntington Beach,
CA 92648, Fax to (714) 378-1244 or Email it to us Attn:
Letters Editor.
I say thanks to the Huntington Beach city council for standing up against a few narrow-minded voices and voting to let the people have fireworks on the America's Independence day like the rest of the country. The only danger the fireworks pose to the kids is not from the fireworks themselves but from their parents who don't teach their kids fireworks safety.
The Chinese people have been celebrating their holidays with firecrackers for centuries and their children are not injured because of parental training and by watching their children as fireworks are ignited.
Brett Jankowski
Huntington Beach
Dear Editor:
The average divorce rate in California is 70 percent. California’s child support system is the biggest in the nation. Representing 1.6 million cases. More than 10 percent of the federal caseload of 15 million. Los Angeles county alone serves more child support cases than the state of Georgia.
Currently, child support is not tax deductible. With fewer jobs, and the economy, parents are worried that they will fall behind on payments and the penalty for doing so can be swift and harsh. Penalties include loss of your drivers license, tax liens, loss of your professional licenses, and jail. 84% of child support providers are men, who are not asking to stop paying, they are asking for help so they can continue paying.
70% of all child support arrears is owed by men earning less than $10,000 a year. While there is concern over jail and prison costs, by giving non-custodial parents a tax break, we could further reduce jail and prison costs. Parents are incarcerated solely for non payment .
Let’s make child support tax deductible. It's the right thing to do.
I have asked Assemblyman Bill Berryhill to introduce legislation making child support tax deductible. If you support this important legislative idea, contact John Freeman-209-473-6972, or Matt Roman at 916-319-2026.
Linda Taylor
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