Emily Backe De Silva briefed Alameda County supervisors on the federal post-midterm landscape, the likelihood of short-term spending measures ahead of a Dec. 11 continuing resolution deadline, and five affordability working groups that could shape the 120th Congress's early agenda.

Local managers described how master plans, replacement‑reserve models and careful growth allocation help spread costs over time — but they stressed Prop 218 and rising wholesale costs limit tools to protect lower‑income households.

After more than two hours of public testimony criticizing outreach and affordability, the City Council voted to continue a Glendale Water & Power (GWP) water‑rate hearing to Nov. 10 to allow more analysis and public notice.

After extended debate about capital needs and the impact on seniors, Stow City Council adopted ordinance 2026-137 to raise water rates roughly 50% over four years (about 12.5% a year); the measure passed 4–2.

JCOT staff and Dr. Gupta reported Nov. 5 that a statewide affordability target of $30 per month (for a 100 Mbps-quality plan) would make broadband affordable for ~93% of households, but that advertised low‑cost plans exceed that target in about 90% of sampled census block groups; staff proposed six policy recommendations to address affordability and discoverability.

City staff presented options for a utility customer assistance program as the draft water and sewer financial plan shows significantly higher bills: examples in the packet show combined bills for a typical 4,000-gallon residential meter rising from $108.70 today to $139.16 in 2027 and $243.07 in 2031.

Staff presented Stantec's rate-study scenarios: maintaining current rates through 2029 would meet revenue needs, but alternatives (lowering the minimum to 5,000 gallons, a flat capital charge, or reclassifying commercial customers) shift burdens among customer classes. Staff said assumptions include roughly $234 million in sewer-related debt.

Council adopted a member-initiated resolution opposing PSE's proposed ~29.32% electrical rate increase. After debate, the council amended the text to remove two paragraphs referencing natural-gas peaker plants and then passed the edited resolution unanimously.

Utilities staff presented $139 million in infrastructure investments and proposed combined rate increases of 8.5% (2027) and 8.6% (2028), while proposing to expand Utility Bill Assistance to households up to 80% AMI with discounts up to $900 a year; council members asked for monitoring and protections for households just above eligibility thresholds.

Cornerstone consultants told the Pfizer Committee that affordability — gas, food and diesel prices — and issues like AI and data centers are driving voter sentiment and could favor Democrats in the Nov. midterms; presenters urged local leaders to translate national messaging into local policy.

Residents at the meeting raised concerns about tax impacts on fixed‑income households and declining enrollment; some longtime supporters said they might not back a bond without clearer stewardship assurances and stronger outreach.

Council members questioned TPU staff about affordability, transformer cost spikes, relicensing and how rate increases fit the city's budget conversation; staff offered follow‑up data and tours of TPU facilities.

Multiple residents questioned why many infrastructure projects are now needed, raised concerns about bills for fixed-income households, and asked whether developer fees should be increased to reduce costs for existing customers.

Six candidates for North Dakota House District 41 appeared at a League of Women Voters–hosted forum in Fargo to discuss priorities including affordability, school lunches, housing, Medicaid and transparency. Each candidate made a one-minute opening statement and answered audience-submitted questions.

Three candidates for House District 124 — Scott Doherty, Mary Shannon Lindstrom and Eric Nathanson — emphasized affordability but proposed distinct remedies: Scott urged fewer regulations and ADU changes; Lindstrom proposed a local-option sales tax to reduce property taxes; Nathanson stressed state-level action on valuation, energy and housing incentives.

Ryan Moran told commissioners that Washington faces a challenging fiscal environment with projected revenue shortfalls and 2023 per-enrollee health-care spending growth of 6.2%; he urged urgency on affordability and highlighted available cost-containment tools.

Public Works and finance staff recommended multi-year utility rate adjustments to fund a $19.7M water program, a $40.9M sewer program (including a $24M share of the Central Kitsap treatment-plant upgrade) and $15.7M stormwater program; staff described scenarios that could add roughly $4–$10 per month to a typical bill over several years depending on the package adopted.

Troy Munro told Wake Up Missoula that University of Montana attendance costs have risen to about $32,000 per year, a 34% increase over four years, and outlined possible multi-decade cost implications for students.

At the Carver County forum, Julie Kelzer prioritized affordability, rural access to specialists and mental-health services while Glenn Gruenhagen emphasized limiting state mandates and cited fraud and local control as fiscal priorities.

Staff presented a menu of tools the town could use if Amendment 3 reduces ad valorem revenue: pause CIP projects, adjust user fees, use reserves/escrow as stopgaps, reinstate a business license fee, borrow or pursue countywide surtaxes; each option has tradeoffs the council discussed.