Councilman McKeown Responds to Coverage

May 9, 2001

Dear Editor,

The first few paragraphs of the Lookout's coverage ("Council Taxed by Utilities") mischaracterized the outcome of Tuesday's discussion on unanticipated revenues from utility taxes on suddenly higher energy bills.

Rather than "holding on" and "not giving back," the Council vote made it very clear the full $2.8 million is coming back to residents. What we did is give the community a greater range of choices.

Upon realizing their personal rebate would be only about $2, on average, some Santa Monicans suggested it might be worth asking residents if they'd prefer to aggregate that money to accomplish together something meaningful: long-term energy conservation, park acquisition, or something the Council hasn't thought of but perhaps others will.

We agreed.

We made it very clear during Tuesday's discussion that if what we hear is that people just want their two dollars, that is what will happen. There is no "holding" or "not giving back" anticipated here.

Your quote some paragraphs later in the story explains my thinking: "I'd like to hear from the public. I'd like to get their two cents on their two dollars."

I have set up a special email address, rebate@mckeown.net. Any comments sent there will be read by me and forwarded to the entire Council and to senior City staff.

Thanks,

Kevin McKeown