Thus far Susan Stimpson's campaign to unseat Speaker Howell has been admirable but, to me, a one-note tune. Taxes, taxes, taxes. Which is good because she's not wrong. But this ... this ... is what I want to see!
Bill Howell keeps putting Richmond special interests ahead of families - this time, giving Dominion more power to hike your electric rates by removing oversight on any rate reviews for the next seven years.
For all we talk about deregulation, we must remember that Virginia's regulations aren't terrbly stringent to begin with and as long as Dominion has a near-monopoly in this state (and the son of the CEO in the House of Delegates), the kind of regulation currently in place isn't terrible tough anyway. This is a naked attempt to raise tax rates without having to answer to it and Republicans should be outraged at this end-around on free market competition. A candidate willing to stand up against the crony capitalism on our own party is worth supporting. See below for her entire statement on this.
Bill Howell keeps putting Richmond special interests ahead of families - this time, giving Dominion more power to hike your electric rates by removing oversight on any rate reviews for the next seven years.
We should be outraged but in no way surprised. Since he became Speaker, Bill Howell has taken over half a million dollars in campaign cash from Dominion, a lobbying giant who is Howell's largest corporate donor.
Over the last several years, the State Corporation Commission has made Dominion issue refunds for overcharging Virginians. The passage of SB 1379 simply gives Dominion the ability to increase utility rates with reduced oversight and protect their profits. Richmond politicians claim they are fighting onerous EPA regulations, but in reality, reducing oversight of Dominion’s rate increases has nothing to do with EPA regulations and everything to do with giving Dominion free rein to raise rates.
Virginia's families deserve leadership in Richmond which gives a voice to their very justified concerns regarding the billing practices of an electricity monopoly given special privileges from the Commonwealth.
President Obama’s ruinous EPA regulations are designed to bankrupt the coal industry and increase electricity rates, but that is no reason to excuse a monopoly like Dominion from coming before the State Corporation Commission every two years and justifying their rate hikes. In fact, coming before the State Corporation Commission biennially would allow Dominion to explain to Virginians how federal regulations are responsible for increasing energy prices.
Comments