A public protest against a proposed 44 percent water rate hike is catching steam in East San Jose and getting the attention of a powerful state senator.

Photo by Juan EstradaSenator Jim Beall listens to community input.

“I’m going to listen,” Senator Jim Beall told a group of residents at a District 5 United (http://www NULL.district5united NULL.org/) meeting at Dr. Roberto Cruz Alum Rock Library. “But I’m going to do something about it. That’s the bottom line.”

In January 2012, the San Jose Water Company filed a request with the California Public Utilities Commission (http://www NULL.cpuc NULL.ca NULL.gov/puc/)to charge customers 21.5 percent more this year, 4.87 percent more in 2014 and 12.59 percent more in 2015. Over three years, the increased rates would generate $95,154,000. The CPUC has not yet made a decision.

In response, District 5 United, a coalition of East San Jose neighborhood associations, launched an online petition (http://www NULL.district5united NULL.org/activitiesevents/san-jose-water-companys-proposed-44-rate-hike/online-petition-opposing-sjwcs-proposed-rate-increases/)signed so far by 700, produced a video and invited Beall, San Jose District 5 Councilman Xavier Campos and Richard Rauschmeier, who represents the CPUC’s Division of Ratepayer Advocates, (http://www NULL.dra NULL.ca NULL.gov/sanjose NULL.aspx) to the community meeting. Juan Estrada, president of District 5 . . . → Read More: East San Jose Coalition Fighting Proposed Water Rate Increases of 44% Over 3 Years

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