In a unanimous 5-0 vote on Friday, July 3, the California Public Utilities Commission voted to significantly change electricity pricing for many California users – reducing the number of pricing tiers; phasing in time-of-use pricing; and adding a “super-user surcharge.” In a press release, the commission said the announced changes would create a “more cost-based…

It is possible that a replacement for former 3rd District Superviser Jeff Stone may be appointed by the end of January, according to John Benoit, 4th District supervisor. Near the end of last week’s Riverside County Board of Supervisors meeting, Benoit, who had stepped out, asked to speak. “I don’t normally leave during a board…

The ban on using plastic bags in California has a reprieve, at least until November 2016. Last week, officials for the state’s Secretary of State office confirmed that opponents of the plastic bag ban gathered enough signatures to secure a place on the November 2016 general election ballot for a referendum on the continued use…

California’s Secretary of State Alex Padilla is forecasting a large surge in the number of voters for the June 7 presidential primary. Last week, he wrote to both Gov. Jerry Brown and county officials urging them to prepare for an unexpectedly large turnout. Padilla’s warning is based on the significant increase in the number of…