After outages, California needs strict federal oversight of PG&E | Opinion
Pull back the curtain
“‘We need PG&E to do better’: S.F. leaders blast utility over mass outages,” (sacbee.com, Dec. 22)
When California granted the Pacific Gas and Electric Company a monopoly to deliver power, it did so on a clear condition: strict public oversight.
The current oversight consists of five commissioners, all appointed by Gov. Gavin Newsom. During those appointments, Newsom’s campaigns received contributions from PG&E, and his wife received hundreds of thousands of dollars from PG&E for her film company. When asked if that was a conflict, Newsom repeatedly stated there is “no correlation, period, full stop.”
However, the results now speak much louder than Newsom’s rhetoric. The state-level checks and balances have failed, so it’s time for the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to pull back the curtain on PG&E.
Curtis Panasuk
Sacramento
American propaganda
“‘We’re going to run it’: Trump says military to stay in Venezuela for now,” (fresnobee.com, Jan. 3)
President Donald Trump says he invaded Venezuela because they stole “our” oil. But how did we come to own Venezuela’s oil?
We set up local dictators who then “sold” their country’s resources to Yanqui corporations. In time, those dictators fell to democratic rebellions. When those revolutions’ popular democracies came to power, they nationalized their country’s resources.
Now, Trump has stolen back what we stole previously. A global realignment is unfolding, with America’s influence severely diminished by a president who admires dictators.
Bruce Joffe
Piedmont
America’s excuses
“‘We’re going to run it’: Trump says military to stay in Venezuela for now,” (fresnobee.com, Jan. 3)
Killing inhabitants of another country with a lame excuse of drug trafficking is bad enough, but to attack the country and claim that their oil and their land belong to America takes the cake.
Jovita A Harrah
Fresno
Rightful property
“‘Death tax’ hurts Fresno County’s farmers, ranchers, small businesses and homeowners,” (fresnobee.com, Dec. 8, 2021)
Farmers and ranchers worked hard to keep their farms in the family. Unfortunately, the government is taking it away via Proposition 19.
In 1978, Howard Jarvis started a tax revolt by passing Prop. 13 on a June 1978 ballot. In 1986, Prop. 13 was extended to children through Prop. 58 and, later, to grandchildren in 1996. But Prop. 19 took away earlier propositions, and now the children of Prop. 13 beneficiaries are losing their homes and small businesses.
Prop. 19 can be amended via a petition that is currently being circulated that would repeal changes to property tax rules for transfers between family members. Please take the time to sign the petition so this critical proposition can be placed on the ballot.
Chris Mathys
Fresno
Safely dispose of drugs
“Editorial: Drug disposal bins are welcome tool in opioid fight,” (fresnobee.com, Feb. 15)
After my mom finished treatment for cancer, much of the cancer medicine was no longer needed. While looking into how to dispose of it, I learned that most people flush or discard medications, leading to severe consequences: pharmaceuticals end up in streams, drinking water and within reach of unsupervised children.
Old or unneeded medication can be disposed of in a few ways, and one easy option is to order a free envelope to put your medicines in and mail it back, which is available in some states such as California. You can also take them to a drop-off bin at certain pharmacies or sheriff stations.
Avi Shah
Calabasas
America’s dictator
“‘The playbook of a dictator’: Trump’s war of retribution on America’s legal system | Opinion,” (modbee.com, March 31, 2025)
Don’t worry about having a wannabe “king.” That title implies some dignity.
In reality, what we have is a dictator.
Glenore Flanders
Turlock