Mayor facing battle over DWP rate hikes

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa pitched his latest plan Monday to create jobs and boost solar energy use through a DWP rate hike, but one city councilman and other critics said it was no time to ask customers to pay more. Daily News.

The proposed monthly increase of $2.50 to $3.50 for the next 12 months would accomplish goals similar to those included in Measure B, the ballot initiative defeated by voters last year.

"I know that any rate increase is a big deal," Villaraigosa said during a news conference on the top level of a DWP parking lot, which also was attended by business, labor and environmental leaders.