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Photograph by Douglas Rider
Reaching Out: U.S. Congressman Mike Honda talks to Harry 'Killer' Miller Tuesday during Honda's visit to Willow Glen Villas Community Center. The Democratic representative spoke mostly about the state's energy crisis.
Honda speaks about state's power woes and energy crisis
By Michelle C. Crowe
A group of Willow Glen senior citizens asked Rep. Mike Honda some tough questions last week about the state's power woes and the electricity problems set to become a priority in the Senate under the Democrats.
"What's going on with utility negotiations?" asked Helyn Wink, one of the 30 seniors present during an informal question-and-answer session June 4 at the Willow Glen Villas Community Center.
Honda explained that on behalf of California, Gov. Gray Davis is striving to wrest more control over power availability and prices, but with limited success.
"What Gov. Davis wants, and what would be a perfect interim solution, is a temporary price cap, but President Bush has not been receptive to that," Honda explained. "Although the rates paid in some parts of California have been found to be unfair, and the state attorney general has researched alleged price fixing by the utilities, not much of that information has been shared yet."
Honda noted that Democratic representatives Zoe Lofgren and Anna Eshoo were proposing bills containing price caps that also allowed sufficient profits by the utility companies they hoped would be palatable to all sides. Other officials are examining additional rebate incentives beyond the 20/20 program, which rewards consumers who slash their electricity use by 20 percent compared with the same period last summer. Consumers who do this will automatically receive a 20 percent savings on their bills. The rebate credit will first appear on bills mailed in July.
The group agreed that the current system of managing utilities is dysfunctional and requires correction.
"What do you think of [Vermont Sen. James] Jeffords' recent party switch, given the dire needs of the country at this time?" queried more than one senior. "You're not thinking of doing that too, are you?"
Honda laughed and declared, "Not me! Although in fairness, I think Mr. Jeffords made a decision out of conscience--not politics--based on the direction the current administration is headed, and the disrespect he endured."
A former schoolteacher, Honda continues to be involved in educational issues. When the poor structural and physical state of many local schools was brought up, the Democratic congressman acknowledged the problem and replied that while maintenance had often suffered as a result of past budget cuts, the recent state surplus resulted in funding that went back into schools specifically to modernize and make them earthquake proof. School districts, such as Los Gatos and Cupertino, have successfully passed bond measures to pay for additional improvements, repairs and construction, preparing the way for other districts to do so also, he said.
With the state's lowered credit rating, seniors wondered if there would still be buyers for new bonds. "California has always been a financially prosperous state," Honda said. "There will still be buyers willing to invest here." As the state explores following the lead of cities such as Riverside and Santa Clara, that own and control their utilities, he believes implementing that model may further reduce the state's credit risk.
"People born before 1920 have been through some real hard times and, in all honesty, this 'utility crisis' looks like a lot of hanky-panky to me," stated senior Elias Zasloff.
"I can't tell you I understand all of the energy issues and negotiations, but there is a problem when I believe one million cubic feet of natural gas from El Paso Gas costs 28 cents, then goes up 2000 percent when it hits the California border, where it's purchased by another utility that needs to mark it up for its own profit," Honda said. "I do know that the federal government does have the power to resolve this, and I sincerely hope that happens."
When senior activist Harold Guetzkow asked Honda how he cooperates with "the other side" on issues, Honda said he first seeks out someone he respects, approaches him or her as a person instead of as a politician, and speaks frankly about finding a mutually acceptable outcome. "Even if the other person is very conservative, if we can agree on the result we want up front, it paves the way for a successful resolution," Honda said. "I've used this approach numerous times, and it seems to work well for me."
Although many more seniors listened rather than spoke, most agreed that their most important issues had been heard. "I learn a lot more by listening than I do by talking," admitted 81-year-old Ruth H. Lamotte. "I was a Republican for decades, even my grandfather was a Republican, but after this last election, I was so disgusted, I switched parties."
Guetzkow and the rest of the seniors warmly thanked Honda for his time with applause, welcomed the news that he'd gladly return, and personally expressed their appreciation afterwards.
As Helyn Wink confided, "When I heard you were coming, I was all prepared for a good ol' boy politician--but you're much smarter than that."
Honda was introduced by Guetzkow, of the Willow Glen Villas senior community, as a "representative not just for the Democrats, but all of his constituents, and the community's 'triple-threat communicator'."(Honda speaks Japanese, Spanish and English).
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Willow Glen, California Since 1992
