Voted Against Gas Rate Increase

Yep. Last night voted against a 2.9% increase in natural gas rates for residents. Was the only one to do so. With residents hurting from this economy, it makes no sense to increase rates just because SoCal Gas did so.

The City charter clearly spells out that the City utility has to have comparable rates with surrounding utilities -- the intent was to make sure residents don't pay more than other customers of gas utilities. So increasing our rates because SoCal Gas did isn't logical.

Especially, when on the same council agenda the council voted to give back 50% of sales tax to a local toyota dealer because of the harsh economic realities that car dealers are hurting for business.

Our residents are hurting too, specifically our seniors who are on fixed incomes. A 2.9% increase wasn't warranted.