Avista wants to raise its rates. Well, so would I, but my customers say no, equaling no raise for me but raises for the Avista shareholders. The spokeswoman said about 50 percent of profits go to the shareholders. Since when did profits come before expenses?

They say they will always ask for rate hikes, they need to work on their infrastructure (all the time) and they have to pay the shareholders. Maybe infrastructure before profits.

I don’t begrudge people making money, but not at the expense of all the people that are not getting raises, and trying to heat their home or cardboard box or pay other bills.

This is all due to deregulations. Be sure and thank the Republicans for smaller government.

Lori Petrie

Spokane Valley