Re: “ ” (Page A1, Dec. 13). Regarding the latest PG&E rate hike, I have to ask: Who is paying for their cable-burying commercials if we aren’t? These have now been running for almost two years, over and over again, on multiple TV channels, often several times an hour.
Why? What’s the purpose, if any, and who has approved such an enormous waste? Is there no oversight? Perhaps the only solution is for the state to take over PG&E since they can’t be left to themselves. Re: “ ” (Page A1, Dec. 13).
PG&E is at it again. After gaining the CPUC’s approval last month for a 13% rate increase to take effect in January, they’re requesting another rate hike to take effect next March. The CPUC will undoubtedly roll over again as it always does.
Meanwhile, we’re treated to a steady stream of “feel-good” TV ads extolling the virtues of PGE’s good citizenship — and remember, we ratepayers are paying for this needless drivel along with in annual compensation to PGE’s CEO. Does this two-time convicted felon harbor no shame for its continued fleecing of its customers? San Jose should accelerate its review of creating a city-owned utility. The time is nigh.
Re: (Page A1, Dec. 8). The city of Millbrae filed a validation action in San Mateo County Superior Court to ask the court to provide guidance as to whether of the California Constitution requires a vote of the residents of Millbrae before San Mateo County’s La Quinta acquisition can proceed.
This is spelled out in both the post on the city’s website after filing the action and in the city’s filing itself. The city filed the action knowing that if it didn’t put the question before a court itself it risked becoming a pawn in litigation filed by anti-housing activists who seemed intent on delaying the La Quinta transaction in perpetuity rather than engaging the residents of the city on the question. Millbrae has taken the high road since filing the action and avoided divisive “click bait” terms like “racist” or accusing others of “dirty tricks.
” We expect the same of our journalists. Re: “ ” (Page A6, Dec. 12).
Dan Walters’ “high speed” rail column was justifiably critical of this public works debacle but was too measured. This $128 billion Central Valley/union make-work program seems to have been designed to get California a little pregnant, compel further taxpayer outlays, and is a study in corruption — a state-scale replica of San Jose’s light rail: the train that carries no one from nowhere to nowhere with a 90% subsidy. And Gov.
Gavin Newsom’s revisionist support is emblematic of a Democrat mindset — voters are gullible, no one is accountable, and projects are immortal. Compare the between Miami and Orlando completed in that carried about in 2022, travels at , was financed by , and only costs for a one-way business seat. But California is the center of tech … snort.
Re: “ ” (Page A6, Dec. 13). Capital gains tax should be imposed on the sale of stock and other passive investments.
Yet we continue to impose capital gains on single-family, owner-occupied homes. Families that have lived in their homes for decades have not been making a passive investment. They have been a part of the community, shopping at stores, sending children to school and hiring painters, plumbers, electricians and scores of others to provide services.
This nest egg should not be taxed at the same rate as an investor who pushes buttons to buy and sell stock. In addition, if capital gains were reduced on single-family homes lived in for 20-plus years, you would see a flood of inventory for sale, helping alleviate our housing shortage. Re: “ ” (Page A2, Dec.
8). Related Articles Having observed his deviant behavior, how could anyone in good conscience vote for another Donald Trump presidency? Trump has always been an overt serial liar, a braggart, a fraud, a confidence man, and a scofflaw (even after multiple criminal indictments). He has openly promised a new governing cabinet of similar repute.
The clearest political choice now is between reasonable and practical compromise (democracy) or a looming federal dictatorship (and potential civil war?). I’m still seeking the most logical explanation. Are Trump’s diehard supporters too closed-minded to see the real danger, or perhaps so mindlessly loyal to families, networks and partisan politics that they cannot think or act independently? My hope is that — presuming that ballots are still cast secretly and counted securely on election day — they will act independently and in good faith.
Otherwise, chaos will reign — and free and fair presidential elections will be history. .
From: eastbaytimes
URL: https://www.eastbaytimes.com/2023/12/14/letters-1530/
