In Response: Sempra lobbying

Op Ed By Haney Hong

Published March 10,2017 in The San Diego Union Tribune

Of late, it seems the nature of our discourse has been taking an ill-advised turn. This lack of civility is not just happening in places like the U.S. Senate, where censuring of Sen. Elizabeth Warren was a political calculation to silence her. This lurking threat is here in our backyard.

I can understand the spirit from where the editorial titled “Sempra should get explicit approval before lobbying” (Feb. 18) comes from — and certainly ratepayers should not be on the hook for lobbying efforts where there might be a perceived conflict between ratepayers and utility shareholders.

But while our local policy makers are in the midst of discussions around Community Choice Aggregation (CCA), we need to recognize the playing field is not level in this discussion. We either have to allow all stakeholders, including Sempra Services, the opportunity to engage in the dialogue fully — that is, in fact, the First Amendment right to petition your government — or dialogue later when everyone has the opportunity to weigh into the discussion.

We as San Diegans should discuss and deliberate — and when we disagree, let’s disagree openly and with civility. At the Taxpayers Association, we have stood up multiple working groups in which anyone can participate. We want to move our community forward by working together and if we disagree, disagreeing agreeably — not by silencing.