In response to "Cut back on education? That's the dumbest idea I've heard" (Jan. 31 Forum) and related letters:

Don't give CMS blank check; other issues need attention first

We spend $8,000 per pupil on average in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools and it appears some want to hand CMS a blank check to spend even more.

Why not spend the money correctly in the first place before wasting more of my tax dollars?

Money is not the answer. The problem with education is broken homes, children having children, no discipline, parents not being involved, etc.

Fix that first, then I'll be glad to pay more if it is needed.

Larry Cook

Charlotte

Don't need tax increase to improve education in N.C.

A lesson from the home school community: Le$$ is more.

It makes perfectly good sense to cut education spending. Most home school parents, whose children often rank higher than public school students on standardized tests, don't spend anywhere near $8,000 per student.

As a former home-school parent, I've spent as little as $100 for paper and printer ink and as high as $1,600 for tutor-led instruction.

Trim the fat, focus on teaching the three Rs, and watch our children flourish - without a tax increase!

Pamela Nogueira

Mooresville

In response to "Roadside trees will be lost to billboards" (Jan. 28):

Say hello to more roadside billboards, good-bye to trees

North Carolina's new billboard law was co-sponsored by Sen. Bob Rucho of Matthews, and passed despite strong criticism from several N.C. cities, including Charlotte.

It not only allows for more trees to be cut down, but significantly increases the spacing and concentration of billboards along state and federal highways. The most insidious change is the elimination of local regulation. No longer will cities and towns enforce rules for spacing, location and height of billboards.

The bill is a huge win for the powerful billboard industry.

Stephen Benson

Charlotte

In response to "Don't target the hapless during rush hour - ticket real offenses" (Jan. 31 Forum):

I say keep pulling over those rush hour speeders, CMPD

Since when is speeding not a real offense? I'm sick and tired of feeling like I'm going to be run over by one of these "hapless" drivers who go way more than

7 mph over the speed limit.

I also have observed this officer pulling over aggressive tailgaters on that stretch of I-485. I say to him "Keep on them, sir!"

Bill Barr

Charlotte

In response to "Norfolk Southern questions Red Line" (Jan. 30):

CATS, Norfolk Southern should team up on commuter rail line

Norfolk Southern says it designs, builds, maintains and dispatches its own lines.

Since it seems to want to actively use the North Mecklenburg rail line, CATS should contract with the railroad to build and run commuter service in concert with the freight line.

In other words, commit or get out of the way.

William C. Barnes

Charlotte

So which Pat McCrory is running for governor?

In 2008 I voted for Pat McCrory over Bev Perdue. I'm a registered Democrat, but I will vote for a Republican I think is a good candidate.

McCrory was a good mayor for Charlotte, in part because he was a moderate Republican.

But after watching the Republican-led N.C. General Assembly move so far to the right and push social issues over jobs, I was happy that Gov. Perdue had been elected and had veto power.

If Pat McCrory moves as far right as the General Assembly is now, I'll not vote for him. If he becomes governor, I'll worry about the future of this state.

Laura Reich

Matthews

In response to "Duke wins 7% N.C. rate hike" (Jan. 28):

Expect more rate hikes until Duke Energy shifts its focus

Duke Energy's 7 percent rate increase does not even include most of the financing and construction costs for the Cliffside coal plant. Duke intends to collect those billions in future rate cases, including one scheduled for later this year.

Bottom line: Coal isn't "cheap" anymore. It's getting more expensive - even if you don't count all the health care costs from poisoned air and water.

For the sake of Duke Energy customers and shareholders, Duke should invest in the inevitable - energy efficiency and renewable, safe solar and wind.

Beth Henry

Charlotte

In response to "Churches weigh in on marriage amendment" (Jan. 30):

Requires much tolerance to create truly world-class city

If Charlotte is to be a "world-class city," how will it look to deny and divide people by sexual orientation?

World-class cities incorporate all types of individuals and groups - different religions, nationalities, political beliefs, those of different economic status, gays and lesbians, as well as heterosexual people and others.

To each his own would make a much happier result rather than the government deciding who can marry who and where.

Lorraine Stark

Matthews