By Tony McVeigh
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wuky/local-wuky-955497.mp3
Frankfort, KY – The Kentucky House is ordering a study to determine if state Public Service Commission members should be elected, not appointed. But it was a close vote.
Last month, the Senate voted to expand the Public Service Commission from three to seven members, elected by the people, instead of appointed by the governor. However the House, on an extremely close vote, has decided to just study the issue. Among opponents was House Minority Leader Jeffrey Hoover.
"In all due respect, if it was a true study to look at the issue and to look at the effects and concerns raised by all those groups that expressed their opposition, they would be included in this study and this task force. They're not."
The bill squeaked through the House on a 48-46 vote, with six members not voting.
Rep. Jim Wayne of Louisville, who voted no, sees no need to alter the current system.
"What we do if we move toward an elected Public Service Commission, in this day in time when we now know that corporations can literally buy elections, we move into one of the most political climates possible for regulating utilities and their rates."
Since it was amended in the House, the bill now returns to the Senate.