[BPR] As wildfires raged in California last year, a group of lawmakers from the state were apparently off on a trip to Hawaii with utility companies.The nonprofit Independent Voter Project hosted the annual event in Maui in November as a dozen lawmakers ‐ mostly Democrats ‐ met with representatives from utility companies who lobbied for a bailout as they seek to raise electricity rates in an effort to offset financial costs due to the wildfires, according to The New York Times.
Lawmakers met with representatives from San Diego Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison at the five star Fairmont Kea Lani hotel, KABC-TV reported.
"These 12 legislators have gotten over $630,000 from the three utilities in campaign contributions. Traditionally these trips are paid for by the sponsor. They are comped," Jamie Court, the president of Consumer Watchdog, said.
California Assembly members Frank Bigelow, Bill Brough ‐ the only Republicans in the group ‐ as well as Ian Calderon, Jim Cooper, Tom Daly, Heath Flora, Jim Frazier, Reggie Jones-Sawyer, Freddie Rodriguez and Blanca Rubio attended the event, according to Consumer Watchdog. State Sens. Ben Hueso and Cathleen Galgiani were also in attendance.