By GottaLaff
This is one example of how an uninformed electorate can make (potentially) an uninformed decision that would negatively impact my own very state of California:
Under Prop. 16, a one-third minority of voters could thwart the vast majority of disgruntled consumers who want to switch electricity providers and get a rate cut.Unlimited funding, misleading talking points: Yep, all the ingredients for a lopsided campaign. This will, and has, become all too commonplace.
And because public entities are barred from spending money to advocate their side but a private utility can fork out unlimited millions, the two-thirds hurdle would be nearly insurmountable.
"The more competition in the electricity industry the better," says Jack Stewart, president of the California Manufacturers and Technology Assn., which opposes Prop. 16. "There's no reason to make it harder for local utility districts to get started if they can provide electricity at a lower cost than investor-run utilities."
PG&E's two allies in its brazen move are the California Chamber of Commerce and the California Taxpayers' Assn. The utility sits on the board of each group.
The two-thirds vote, they note, is what's required for local special tax increases and bond issues. (School bonds need only 55%.) But that's irrelevant. Taxes aren't an issue in electricity service.
And city or school bonds generally are repaid by all residents through sales or property taxes. Utility borrowing is financed by revenue bonds tied to electricity rates.
PG&E's clever campaign consultants are trying to exploit the public's current mistrust of government and anger about budget deficits.
As a people, we better learn to read, educate others, and fight back. Stat.
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