2Bwacco
05-20-2010, 04:34 PM
Say no to PG&E
EDITOR: Vote no on Proposition 16 to punish PG&E for telling lies and taking unfair advantage.
PG&E is the sole sponsor of Proposition 16, shelling out millions on unending commercials falsely labeling the proposition, “the taxpayer’s right to vote act.” While Proposition 16 requires votes before a local government can start or expand electric service (elections in two geographic areas with passage by two-thirds in each), those elections won’t protect taxpayers, only PG&E’s monopoly.
Local governments don’t use taxes to expand electric service. Their customers pay for the service through their electric bills; just like PG&E’s. Unlike PG&E’s customers, public power customers control their rates by voting for the city council members who set them. Unlike PG&E, local governments don’t make a profit. The Public Utilities Commission is legally compelled to guarantee PG&E a profit.
PG&E is taking unfair advantage because local governments can’t spend taxpayer dollars to oppose ballot measures. That’s why you won’t see any commercials opposing Proposition 16. No law prohibits PG&E from spending millions of its ratepayers’ dollars to campaign unopposed for its passage.
Don’t let PG&E get away with this.
Vote no on Proposition 16, and vote for local control of electric service.
DAVID J. RAPPORT
Ukiah
EDITOR: Vote no on Proposition 16 to punish PG&E for telling lies and taking unfair advantage.
PG&E is the sole sponsor of Proposition 16, shelling out millions on unending commercials falsely labeling the proposition, “the taxpayer’s right to vote act.” While Proposition 16 requires votes before a local government can start or expand electric service (elections in two geographic areas with passage by two-thirds in each), those elections won’t protect taxpayers, only PG&E’s monopoly.
Local governments don’t use taxes to expand electric service. Their customers pay for the service through their electric bills; just like PG&E’s. Unlike PG&E’s customers, public power customers control their rates by voting for the city council members who set them. Unlike PG&E, local governments don’t make a profit. The Public Utilities Commission is legally compelled to guarantee PG&E a profit.
PG&E is taking unfair advantage because local governments can’t spend taxpayer dollars to oppose ballot measures. That’s why you won’t see any commercials opposing Proposition 16. No law prohibits PG&E from spending millions of its ratepayers’ dollars to campaign unopposed for its passage.
Don’t let PG&E get away with this.
Vote no on Proposition 16, and vote for local control of electric service.
DAVID J. RAPPORT
Ukiah