Just a few observations surrounding the California budget deficit of $38 billion, which has been the focal point of recalling current governor Gray Davis.

I heard recently that the top 10 states in budget deficits range from California, the highest, at $985 per capita deficit to Delaware’s lowest of $375 per capita deficit. The other states, among which are Connecticut, Massachusetts, Maine and Minnesota, have per capita deficits between the aforementioned high and low figures.

One of the big raps against Gray Davis is his tripling of the California auto registration tax. Californians are now paying $400 to $600 to register their vehicles, where previously they were paying under $200 to register the same vehicles. A fee of $400 to $600 to register a car; sound familiar?

Oh, and by the way, I have also heard it reported that the 10 states with the highest per capita budget deficits are all under the control of the Democratic party. How does that make you feel?

Paul St. Jean, Lewiston