Missoula County supports SB 160: Establish Public Service Commission appointments, up for hearing this afternoon in the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee. If passed, this bill would modify the structure of the Montana Public Service Commission. The PSC is currently composed of five commissioners who are elected to represent five regions of the state. This bill would make the PSC a three-member commission, with members appointed by the governor rather than elected. It would also require that no more than two of the three commissioners be from the same political party. Across the country, appointed commissions are more common than elected commissions, and the three-member structure proposed by this bill mirrors the successful structure of commissions in several states in our region, including Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Missoula County has a strong interest in a successful and functional PSC, given the crucial responsibility of the PSC to protect the interests of Montanans (including Missoula County residents) by regulating monopoly utilities.
Missoula County supports SB 160, Establish Public Service Commission appointments, on the Senate floor this afternoon. If passed, this bill would modify the structure of the Montana Public Service Commission. The PSC is currently composed of five commissioners who are elected to represent five regions of the state. This bill would make the PSC a three-member commission, with members appointed by the governor rather than elected. It would also require that no more than two of the three commissioners be from the same political party. Across the country, appointed commissions are more common than elected commissions, and the three-member structure proposed by this bill mirrors the successful structure of commissions in several states in our region, including Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Missoula County has a strong interest in a successful and functional PSC, given the crucial responsibility of the PSC to protect the interests of Montanans (including Missoula County residents) by regulating monopoly utilities.
Senator Morigeau,
ReplyDeleteMissoula County supports SB 160: Establish Public Service Commission appointments, up for hearing this afternoon in the Senate Energy and Telecommunications Committee. If passed, this bill would modify the structure of the Montana Public Service Commission. The PSC is currently composed of five commissioners who are elected to represent five regions of the state. This bill would make the PSC a three-member commission, with members appointed by the governor rather than elected. It would also require that no more than two of the three commissioners be from the same political party. Across the country, appointed commissions are more common than elected commissions, and the three-member structure proposed by this bill mirrors the successful structure of commissions in several states in our region, including Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Missoula County has a strong interest in a successful and functional PSC, given the crucial responsibility of the PSC to protect the interests of Montanans (including Missoula County residents) by regulating monopoly utilities.
Please support SB 160.
Sent. Feb. 22:
ReplyDeleteSenators,
Missoula County supports SB 160, Establish Public Service Commission appointments, on the Senate floor this afternoon. If passed, this bill would modify the structure of the Montana Public Service Commission. The PSC is currently composed of five commissioners who are elected to represent five regions of the state. This bill would make the PSC a three-member commission, with members appointed by the governor rather than elected. It would also require that no more than two of the three commissioners be from the same political party. Across the country, appointed commissions are more common than elected commissions, and the three-member structure proposed by this bill mirrors the successful structure of commissions in several states in our region, including Idaho, Oregon and Washington. Missoula County has a strong interest in a successful and functional PSC, given the crucial responsibility of the PSC to protect the interests of Montanans (including Missoula County residents) by regulating monopoly utilities.
Please support SB 160.