The recent Times editorial about a Caltrans administrator resigning after it was reported that this department had purchased unneeded new vehicles.

The editorial asked why Caltrans would purchase these vehicles during the current recession. I can answer that question very easily.

Every government department gets funds for their budgets every year. At the end of their year, if they have any funds left over, they must return them to the budget office. If they return any funds to this office, the amount returned is deducted from their next year's budget. So, at the end of the year, all funds not used are spent.

As for schools, these extra funds are spent on supplies and stipends to teachers. This is how the department funds are eliminated, so their next budget will not go down.

This is why our government costs have kept rising for the last 50 years. Government is not inclined to slow down spending.

As a result, there is no money left from any of their budgets. If we had accountability from government, our tax savings would be in the trillions. But, if that were the case, our government would have to return the extra money to taxpayers.

This is never going to happen, until we get our government under control. Those in government do not like giving money back to taxpayers, when they can continue their spending sprees. More money in their hands is more power for them.

Ed Pilkington

Santa Maria