Editorial, NAPA VALLEY REGISTER
Two of the statewide measures on the June 2010 ballot are prime examples of the cynical abuse of California’s initiative process. In our view, voters should reject both Proposition 16 and Proposition 17.
Proposition 16 is funded by Pacific Gas & Electric in order to make it more difficult for local government agencies to create competition for the giant utility. The measure would force any city that wants to generate its own power to gain approval from two-thirds of its voters before proceeding.
Under that standard, no city ever would be able to start generating its own energy, as PG&E has the campaign cash and savvy to swamp any electoral effort that needs to reach the two-thirds threshold.
It is true enough that cities contemplating running their own grids must be careful with the public’s money and be efficient with their resources — not exactly hallmarks of California government these days. But few cities are interested, and among those that are, there are examples where the public has been well served, such as in Palo Alto.
But this measure isn’t about what policy benefits the public. It’s a power play, literally — one that voters should reject.
Proposition 17 is another effort by a corporation to use the polls to increase profit. Mercury Insurance Co., one of the large auto insurers, seeks a shift in state policy regarding the portability of auto insurance rates.
Under the measure, insurers could offer cheaper rates than are available today to drivers who transfer their auto policies from one carrier to another. Independent analysts fear the change will lead to higher rates rather than lower ones, and in any case it is merely a grab for market share.
California insurance companies already have enormous influence in the way regulators and legislators set the policies that govern their industry.
It is wasteful and cynical for private insurers to ask the voters to pump up their profits at the expense of their competitors.
Both Proposition 16 and Proposition 17 are manipulative ploys counting on low voter interest, low voter turnout and a high flow of corporate campaign cash to gain greater profitability for specific companies. In our view, voters should offer a resounding no to both Proposition 16 and 17.
Tags: big corporations, consumer, contributions, deceptive, Editorial, Mercury, Prop 17, voters
