Yall Politics

SALTER - PSC flap could not be less about ratepayers’ interests

SALTER - PSC flap could not be less about ratepayers' interests

While a great deal of lip service will be paid to what's in the best interests of Mississippi public utility ratepayers when Mississippi lawmakers return in special session later this week, the fact is that the Legislature's failure to pass a budget for the Public Service Commission could not be less about the interests of those ratepayers.

What the standoff is about is partisan politics - and neither the Democrats nor the Republicans can make any claim whatsoever to the moral high ground.

Despite a $400 million state revenue shortfall and substantial across-the-board budget cuts throughout state government in 2009 and with more looming in 2010, Mississippi's elected public service commissioners say they need additional staff - staff members who can readily analyze complex utility rate data and highly technical utility company audits.

By virtue of retirements and resignations, the current PSC isn't the most experienced group in state history. Northern District Commissioner Brandon Presley, D-Nettleton, is new on the job as is PSC chairman and Central District Commissioner Lynn Posey, D-Union Church. Southern District Commissioner Leonard Bentz has about three years of experience.

But all three are capable, intelligent and honorable men. Posey has substantial experience as a former state senator who formerly chaired the Senate Public Utilities Committee.

Clarion-Ledger
6/8/9

Posted July 8, 2009 - 8:01 am

4 Comments:

At the root of the current standoff over the PSC budget is a perceived political alliance between the PSC and Hood

Posted by Just Me on 07-08-2009 at 09:56 AM [link]

Just Me, I agree with you. Reliable sources have told me that this is Hood’s and Presley’s way of keeping their name in the media spotlight. It seems they are planning on running as a team for Gov and Lt. Gov and need to show unity.

Seems dumb to me that an Attorney General would recommend furloughing employees. Do they get paid when their budget is approved since they were sent home or what? I would think if the PSC really wanted to look after ratepayers they would have keep their staffs on board no matter what.

All that said to show that Hood and Presley are creating this “story” for their benefit and not the ratepayers. Note that it is always Hood and Presley making statements while the other 2 Commissioners are not seeking the limelight.

Hood and Presley are sorry excuses for public servants.

Posted by DaddySouth on 07-08-2009 at 11:33 AM [link]

"What the standoff is about is partisan politics - and neither the Democrats nor the Republicans can make any claim whatsoever to the moral high ground.” Quote the CL. But then they continue to note the budget deficit and the cuts for all other agencies. Why cannot the side that is trying to keep the elected commissioners from ADDING staff (while others are having to cut) claim the moral high ground? Why cannot the side that is trying to avoid letting the elected Commissioners duplicate the staff the currently exists in the Public Utility Staff claim the moral high ground? Why cannot the side that is sticking to the laws that were established some 20 years ago whereby the Public Service Commission was RESTRICTED from having such staff claim the moral high ground? Guess the answer lies in that the CL could never, even in the wildest of situations, allow that the Republicans have the moral high ground. Especially when it would be at the expense of their sacred General Hood.

Although the Republicans can be faulted for not doing what really should be done - bringing forth a bill to eliminate the elected Commissioners. Would be a great beginning to creating an effective executive branch of government to our poor state.

Posted by grasshopper on 07-09-2009 at 12:38 PM [link]

"But all three are capable, intelligent and honorable men:” I don’t know the others, but I would definitely not attach “honorable” to the name of Brandon Presley due to his strong connections to the now fallen lawyer groups. They were on their way to owning him during the last election when things began to fall apart. I agree with DaddySouth that Hood and Presley are sorry excuses for public servants and play to the simple minded or to put it a little stronger...the “willingly” ignorant.

Posted by mudcreekmind on 07-09-2009 at 02:23 PM [link]

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