Ehrlich Vetoes Bill Offering Electricity Rate Relief

[Judi Lynn]

Ehrlich Vetoes Bill Offering Electricity Rate Relief

By Steve Vogel
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, June 23, 2006; Page B01

Maryland Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. vetoed the General Assembly's electricity rate relief plan yesterday, defying warnings from Democratic leaders that they will overturn his action.

The bill, passed in a special session last week by the General Assembly, would temporarily lower a planned rate increase from 72 percent to 15 percent and fire the five members of the Public Service Commission, which regulates utilities in the state.

Ehrlich (R) said yesterday that the commission, which includes four members he appointed, is being made "a scapegoat" for rate increases and that firing the members would lead to "major regulatory uncertainty, less competition and higher costs for consumers."

The governor also called the bill's relief measures flawed. "We can work together to craft a more balanced, pro-consumer solution," Ehrlich wrote in a veto message sent yesterday afternoon to Senate President Thomas V. Mike Miller Jr. (D-Calvert).
(snip/...)

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/06/22/AR2006062201175.html?nav=rss_politics



Gov. Robert Ehrlich and friend

[Robb]

1. Awwww! Isn't that cute?

He gots a widdle monkey. :D

[BR_Parkway]

2. Less competition? From whom?

[krkaufman]

3. "a planned rate increase from 72 percent"...!!!!

Ehrlich warns that overriding his veto will lead to higher prices?!? What the hell does he think a 72% rate increase is?!?

[Nickster]

5. Are you kidding. 72% is only half of what Ehrlich had in mind.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

6. Here's the humorous thing..deregulation was sold to all these states

as being LESS expensive to the customers..given, since Maryland has caps, it isn't total deregulation, but I'd say it's really no choice when you are asking consumers "who would you rather have gouge you?"

[Doctor_J]

4. The wingers are really feeling their oats.

ou'd think with 30% approval rating they'd start to come pack to the people, but it's a full assault on working people, Dems, minorities, the constitution, and sane women. Gonna be a long couple years until the revolution.

[Virginia Dare]

7. That should enhance his "popularity"...

which is all in his head anyway. :freak: