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DWP Might Have to Return $30 Million to Customers
A Superior Court tentative ruling last week says that the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power must pay back $30 million to customers after violating Prop 218, which says "the state Constitution bars municipal utilities from overcharging ratepayers for water and then using the surplus to pay for other city programs," according to the LA Times. The LADWP has been taking money and moving it to the city's general fund, which pays for various programs such as streets and police. If the ruling becomes final, the department will have to give customers refunds or credits on future bills.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
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