The State : Air Fare Probe by State Urged

Displaying a blow-up of a $378 airplane ticket for a round-trip flight from Los Angeles to Sacramento, two legislators introduced a resolution calling for a state investigation of California airline fares. State Sens. John Garamendi (D-Walnut Grove) and Art Torres (D-Los Angeles) said they want the Public Utilities Commission to determine if California air carriers may have flouted antitrust laws by rapidly increasing fares on certain routes. The two conceded that the commission has no authority to take action against the carriers, but said they hope a long public hearing and the threat of further legislative action will pressure the airlines into lowering fares. State lawmakers have no direct jurisdiction over airline fares, but they could punish carriers by increasing taxes on fuels and offering tax incentives to entice more competitive airlines to move into California markets, Garamendi said.