New Times SLO
A secretive group is inching closer to gathering enough signatures to qualify an initiative for the November general election that, if approved, would force city officials to put every change to city fees to a popular vote. Backed by the San Luis Obispo Property Owners Association, the User and Regulatory Fees Initiative has about 2,000 signatures in support, according to Association Treasurer Stephen Barasch. The initiative would require a majority vote on any new, expanded, or increased fee proposed by the city, according to the initiative summary.
The day after New Times reported a proposed ballot initiative pushed by Pacific Gas & Electric Company that would hinder development of nonprofit community-owned electric power utilities (“PG&E pushes vote to limit public power,” Sept. 10), the corporation ponied up $1.5 million to the committee promoting the initiative, on top of two previous contributions of $750,000 each in July and August.