SCHWARZENEGGER IS NO MODERATE

Your headline misleads when it says "Schwarzenegger signals social
moderation" (Page 14A, Sept. 21). Yes, the governor approved an
important clean-needle purchase bill. But there is nothing moderate
about his veto of AB 2871, which would have made it easier for cities
and counties to participate in needle-exchange programs. There is also
nothing moderate about the governor's veto of gun safety bills.

Finally, there is nothing moderate about vetoing legislation that
would have raised the minimum wage by 50 cents an hour in January 2005
and to the whopping sum of $7.75 an hour in January 2006. This
particular veto is the action of a governor who listens to business
interests.

Sarah H. Johnson

Palo Alto