No Smoke Detectors – No Fire Sprinklers – No 24 Hour Security Patrol to Detect Fires Early – No Technology – No Security Cameras – Not Even a Webcam – there's More Security at a 7-Eleven – No Nothin' – No One Will Buy Your House Now Either – "Remember there's Another Hangar Too"!
Remember Nancy Pelosi’s famous line that Democrats had to pass ObamaCare to learn what was in it? Democrats in Sacramento are now having second thoughts about a law they passed two years ago that would effectively establish a second progressive income tax in California.
Democrats last week introduced legislation to repeal a 2022 budget bill that authorized the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to restructure electricity rates by imposing a fixed charge on an income-graduated basis. The budget bill’s purpose was to reduce the state’s skyrocketing rates for lower-income people and shift utility costs to higher earners.
Average residential rates for investor-owned utility customers have surged by 72% to 127% over the past 10 years. About 2.5 million households are behind on their bills, averaging $733 in arrears.
One culprit is the state’s aggressive green-energy buildout, which has required batteries to back up intermittent solar and wind. Another is the state’s net-metering program, which generously compensates households with solar panels for excess power they send to the grid. This has shifted costs for maintaining the grid to homes without solar panels.
Lawmakers have also shifted state government costs for wildfire mitigation and climate subsidies to utilities so the politicians can devote more spending to their public-union friends. At the same time the state has mandated that utilities provide discounts to lower-income customers. These discounts get baked into higher rates for all customers.
The climate lobby frets that soaring electricity rates will discourage low- and middle-income Californians from buying electric vehicles (though they are also an inducement to install solar panels). Thus, Gov. Gavin Newsom two years ago pressured the Legislature to pass the budget bill to establish the nation’s first income-based electricity rates.
“This is a crappy budget trailer bill that was dumped on us late Sunday,” Democratic Assembly Rep. Al Muratsuchi said at the time. The bill nonetheless passed overwhelmingly. Now Democrats in affluent areas are hearing from constituents who are irate that their electricity bills could soon climb even more.
The PUC hasn’t finalized the new electric rate structures. But Pacific Gas & Electric Company has floated charging customers fixed fees ranging from $15 a month for those earning less than $28,000 annually and up to $92 a month for those making $180,000 or more. Income-based charges on higher earners will rise as utility costs do.
Ten state Senators recently sent a letter urging the PUC to reject utilities’ proposed income charges. “Californians already pay some of the highest electric bills in the nation and should not be forced to arbitrarily pay more to cover for a private utility’s poor business decisions,” San Francisco progressive Sen. Scott Wiener declared.
No—they will be forced to pay more to compensate for Sacramento’s bad policy decisions. The progressive epiphany in Sacramento is welcome, belated as it may be. Maybe California isn’t completely lost.
Dear Friend – Neighbor – and Tustin California Water Customer,
“Pretty soon your Water Bill is Gonna Look Like a Car Payment!”
Yes you can send in a protest letter and attend the Public Hearing on Water Rate Increases but here’s a Reality Check – the City of Tustin Does Not Want to Hear from You – and Does Not Care what You think about this Water Rate Increase.
They’re Increasing Water Rates whether You Like it or Not!
So why the Public Hearing? Well – that’s the only way that the City of Tustin Water Works can Legally Pick-Your-Pocket with this Rate Increase.
During a Drought the City and other Water Departments will Tell You to “Cut Back” on your water usage – because like talking about “Climate Change” – it’s “Politically Correct” – but the “Reality” is that they want you to use as much water as possible – so they can support their “Lavish Salaries” – “Luxurious Benefits” and “Sweetheart Retirement Packages” – “things that “you” won’t get.”
Go ahead and send in your Letter of Protest – and watch the City Clerk Open Your Letter – Roll their Eyes – “Laugh” – and promptly throw it over to a Corner of their desk – or maybe in the trash can – a successful protest requires 51% of water customers to mail a formal protest and for it to be counted as valid.
I don’t have lots of Time to Fight this for “You” – so – You need to “Fight for Yourself”.
There are only a few ways you can negate and Stop this Water Rate Increase.
First and the “easiest” is to conduct a thorough Water use Audit at Your Home or Business – and make a Plan to Cut Your Water Use by at least Half – and even more if possible.
Second and won’t be as easy – is to use a Law Firm to fight and eliminate the Fixed Meter Charge – “around $24.00 a month residential “now” – even if you never use a single drop of water” – this”Penalizes Water Savers” and may be patently “Illegal”.
You can fight this Now – or – you can wait until your Water Bill is $1,000.00 a month – and you and your Family can’t afford to Bathe – because that’s where the Pickpockets are Going with Water!
That’s why I have copied this letter to the Governor of California and other State of California and County of Orange Officials.
You and I have just begun the “Water Fight of Our Lives” and we need to beckon the State of California to “Step In and Take Over City of Tustin Water” and “Stop the Mismanagement and Pimping” of our “Life and Health Sustaining Water Resources”.
This is a Game of “Water Chicken” – that must be Stopped – “Right Now” – You and I Cut Back on Our Water Usage – the City and Water Departments then Raise Rates Again – Cut and Raise – Cut and Raise – and Cut and Raise – when “Finally” You and I reach a “Cut Back Dead End” – where we can “No Longer Cut Back on Our Water Usage” – there’s nowhere left to Cut – without Sacrificing Our Health and Safety – and the Health and Safety of Our Families and Children.
Talking Points and Issues
1. Instead of spending millions building a filtering system for the “polluted wells” – “Water Employee Job Security” – we should just close the wells and buy all water from Colorado River Sources – as is occurring now – closing the Wells and eliminating employees and other expenses will go a long way towards a “Water Rate Reduction”.
2. The Fixed Meter Charge – “around $24.00 a month residential “now” – even if you never use a single drop of water” – “Penalizes Water Savers” and may be patently “Illegal”.
3. We need to hire a Law Firm and “Force” an independent Audit of both the Water Department and City Hall – looking for expenses and people we can “Cut” – and Possibly effect a “Water Rate “Reduction” not Increase.
4. City Hall and Water Employees “Pickpockets and Water Pimps” – live in a “Perpetual Pay Raises” – “Lavish Benefits” – and “Lush Retirement Packages” – “La La Land” – while the rest of us suffer with never ending and outrageous expense increases.
5. Our first line of defense against the “Pickpockets and Water Pimps” is to Immediately audit your household and business water usage – with the goal of reducing your consumption by – fully 50% – as I mentioned – “the System is Rigged” and the Fixed Meter Charge of around $24.00 a month residential “Penalizes Water Savers” – so we must pursue a Legal Remedy to eliminate the Fixed Meter Charge – altogether – this Way Water Savers – Save – and Water Users – Pay.
Best regards, good luck and good health to everybody,
Water: Water Consumption Consumption 40 Units $129.60 Fixed Meter Charge 5/8″ $46.03 Total Charges: **** $175.63
New Rates Applied to Same Usage Beginning in 2024
Water: Water Consumption Consumption 40 Units $142.80 Fixed Meter Charge 5/8″ $49.73 Total Charges: *****$192.53
New Rates Applied to Same Usage Beginning in 2025
Water: Water Consumption Consumption 40 Units $156.00 Fixed Meter Charge 5/8″ $54.21 Total Charges: *****$210.21
New Rates Applied to Same Usage Beginning in 2026
Water: Water Consumption Consumption 40 Units $170.40 Fixed Meter Charge 5/8″ $59.09 Total Charges: *****$229.49
New Rates Applied to Same Usage Beginning in 2027
Water: Water Consumption Consumption 40 Units $186.00 Fixed Meter Charge 5/8″ $64.41 Total Charges: *****$250.41
New Rates Applied to Same Usage Beginning in 2028
Water: Water Consumption Consumption 40 Units $202.80 Fixed Meter Charge 5/8″ $70.21 Total Charges: *****$273.01
These New Water Rates represent – a $50.00 “per month” Water Rate “Increase” by 2028 – but – Way – Way – More – than that – if You have a Large Family – or – Operate a Business.
And – It’s Never Ending!
Here’s the last Tustin Water Rate Increase – other Water Companies were Sued and the Tiered Rate System was deemed Illegal.
As of February 1, 2020, the City of Tustin moved to a fixed-rate fee system from a tiered-rate system. This means all customers will be charged the same flat fee of $2.79 for each unit of water (748 gallons) used regardless of how much water is consumed. Since 2014, Tustin’s unit cost has ranged from $0.84 to $4.05 per unit depending on amount of usage (i.e. tiered system). On each January 1 over the next four years (2021-2024), the new unit cost of $2.79 will increase by 5 percent as part of this five-year rate plan.
In 1958 the Privately Owned Tustin Water Works Installed No Residential Water Meters – and Households Paid a Flat Total Fee for Water Use of just $5.00 per month.
TO PROTEST WATER RATE INCREASES:
Get involved!
Attend a public meeting December 5th, 2023 7 PM – Tustin California City Council Chamber about the water rate adjustment to hear from the City about the proposed water rates and why the increase is needed. Call the hotline for more information at (714) 573-3099 Email Customer Service on Water Rates [email protected]
Attend the Public Hearing and or:
Address your letter as follows and Postmark Prior to Public Hearing December 5th, 2023 7 PM – Tustin California City Council Chamber.
“I Protest any and All Proposed Water Rate Increases”
In California, Proposition 218 allows customers to comment on the proposed water rates prior to or during a public hearing. Consistent with the provisions of Proposition 218, and California Government Code § 53755, this notice has been mailed to all customers whose names and addresses appear in the current customer database of the City of Tustin and property owners within the service area based on the most current information published by the Orange County Assessor. If you object to the proposed fees as described in this Notice, you may file a written protest with the City Clerk prior to the close of the public hearing.
Written protests can be mailed or personally delivered to:
City of Tustin – City Clerk’s Office 300 Centennial Way Tustin, CA 92780-3767
A valid protest must include all of the following information:
1. Customer name and account number or name of property owner; 2. Service address; 3. Assessor parcel number; 4. A statement of protest (“I protest” will suffice); and 5. The original signature of the protesting customer/property owner (photocopies will not be accepted). The City Clerk will accept only one protest per parcel served by Tustin Water. The City Clerk will determine the validity of all protests submitted and exclude any invalid protests from the final tabulation. The City Clerk may confer with the City Attorney in determining the validity of written protests. As part of this process, the City Attorney may review contested or suspect protest forms. The City Clerk’s decisions shall be final and binding. In the preliminary determination of validity, the City Clerk will disregard as invalid all protests in the following categories:
1. The purported protest is a photocopy and does not contain an original authorized signature;and/or 2. The purported protest does not identify the customer/property owner by name; and/or 3. The customer/property owner has not signed the purported protest; and/or 4. The purported protest does not have an identifiable statement of protest; and/or 5. The purported protest is one of multiple protests returned for a single service address; and/or 6. The purported protest’s appearance or method of delivery reflects any other circumstances which reasonably demonstrate that the protest has been tampered with or is otherwise invalid. 7. The purported protest is received later than close of the public hearing on December 5th 2023 7 PM For questions regarding this Notice or protest procedures, contact the City Clerk’s Office at (714) 573-3000
If you or your Law Firm has received this message and is interested in representing Tustin California Water Ratepayers – a Retainer Payment of $5000.00 may be available – immediately – inquire.
If you received this message and aren’t sure if your neighbor or other Tustin Water Customer did – Please Share the Love – and Forward this Message as You See Fit.
“Doing nothing is always “easier” – but – doing “something” – is better!”
GET PAID TO REMOVE YOUR LAWNS AND SAVE BIG ON WATER!
The Municipal Water District of Orange County (MWDOC), the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, and your local water agency are proud to offer the Turf Removal Program to qualifying residents and businesses across Orange County.
Use 50-70% less water outdoors by replacing thirsty turf grass with beautiful, climate-appropriate landscape!
Rebates start at $3 per square foot of turf grass removed – the savings really adds up! Get paid to transform your landscape and upgrade your outdated irrigation system.
FREE customized *Design Assistance and **Maintenance programs also available to Turf Removal Program participants!
Save water, save money, and save time on maintenance! Attractive landscaping increases property values by 6-13%! Rebates are limited. Apply today to take advantage of these significant benefits and more! Artificial or Synthetic Turf is not eligible for a rebate.
Please do not remove your grass until your application is approved. Projects that are underway or already completed prior to the receipt of the “Notice to Proceed” email are not eligible to participate.
For questions about the program, please call (714) 593-5036 or email [email protected].
Remember you can also protest Water Rate Increases by Buying Your Next Car – TV – Refrigerator and Other Larger Purchases – Inside a City – that is “Outside” the City of Tustin California!
If you operate a Business in Tustin California – You already Know – that these could be the Water Rate Increases – that – Put-You-“Out”-of-Business!
We Love You Howard Jarvis – RIP – and Thank You for Everything!
After years of work by tax revolt leaders Howard and Estelle Jarvis, Proposition 13 was overwhelmingly approved by voters on June 6, 1978. But Howard and Estelle knew that taxpayers’ gains would be temporary without a permanent citizens organization to protect Proposition 13 and to continue the movement against higher taxes. To meet this need, they founded the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association (originally called the California Tax Reduction Movement).
Although Howard Jarvis passed away in 1986 and his wife Estelle in 2006, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association continues their important work.
And with the constant pressure from government for higher taxes, the Howard Jarvis Taxpayers Association’s role as the legal and political watchdog of Proposition 13 is more important than ever.
AZUSA, Calif. (KABC) — Authorities are investigating after a Los Angeles County Sheriff’s helicopter crashed in the Angeles National Forest north of Azusa Saturday.
The incident happened near Highway 39 and East Fork Road shortly before 5 p.m., according to officials.
Officials initially said five people were aboard the aircraft at the time of the crash, but L.A. Sheriff Alex Villanueva later confirmed that a total of six people were aboard. All were taken to Pomona Valley Hospital Medical Center.
Those aboard included a pilot and co-pilot, two paramedics, one crew chief, and a doctor from UCLA on a ride-along, Villanueva said. All are expected to survive, according to officials.
One person suffered critical injuries, two suffered moderate injuries, and another two suffered minor injuries, but all are currently in stable condition, officials said.
“They’re pretty banged up, some of them, and I’ll leave it at there’s some fractures, some broken ribs, and some things of that nature,” Villanueva said. “But thankfully nothing that is life-threatening at this time, and they’re in good hands here.”
Unacceptable Risk: The Troubling Medical Helicopter Safety Record
When the helicopter landed in his yard, Larry Strittmatter didn’t think about the cost. His wife Dana had accidentally burned her leg with boiling water. Instead of driving her to one of six hospitals within 15 miles of their house near Fort Worth, Texas, paramedics called a helicopter to fly Dana to the Parkland Hospital Burn Center in Dallas.
Shortly after Larry arrived, the doctors gave his wife a bandage, a prescription for Tylenol with codeine and a swift escort to the lobby. The hospital refused to admit her for such minor injuries, leaving the Strittmatters with a $17,000 flight bill. “The doctors said they were shocked and dismayed when they saw a helicopter landing,” Strittmatter says. They had been in touch with EMTs at the scene, and after hearing Dana’s injuries described had advised that she should be transported by ground ambulance.
In Arizona, 43 percent of patients transported by helicopter to hospital ERs were discharged within 24 hours, suggesting most didn’t need a helicopter at all. In Maryland, the 24-hour discharge rate for patients transported by state police helicopters was 41 percent prior to 2008.
Hangar Fire - "Without Litigation" - City of Tustin Already On the Hook for $90 Million in Clean-Up Costs - "Not Including the Actual Hangar Property" - and Heading for a Billion Dollars - Developers Likely Not Off the Hook Either - Property Value Assessments Undergoing Official Review - Ask Yourself - Would You Buy or Rent at the Tustin Legacy - Remember there's "Another" Hangar Too Addicted? 1-800-662-HELP URGENT REMINDER - if You're on Southern California Edison's - "Time to Fuck You" - "Electricity Rate Plan" - "Opt Out Now" - Call Today or Visit the Website - 1-800-810-2369
