ProgressOhio

Husted withdraws controversial legislation, vows to try again

Husted unveiled an outline of the House's plan that, in essence, weakened the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio's authority to regulate electric utilities while giving the companies the long-sought autonomy to act with few restraints and sell their power on the open market.

Governor threatens veto

The next day, Strickland made two moves that turned the tables on Husted.

Strickland promised to veto the bill as written. He also pledged to immediately sign stand-alone legislation on the alternative and renewable energy issues, a step that focused all the ensuing attention on electric bills and utility profits.

And unfortunately for the hugely talented Husted, he was in the position of defending utility profits.

The speaker responded to the veto promise by stating he would send a bill to the governor's desk and Strickland could do as he wished with the measure.

In the past, this strategy would have worked, but Strickland is not Taft and the Republicans are not as confident as they once were.

On the one hand Jon says it was "GOP rereg bill". On the other hand Jon says it was a bi-partisan re-reg bill.

But then again, he was against protecting consumers, until the Governor's veto threat over excessive earnings made him for it.

Now he and the Ohio GOP somehow seem to be taking credit for it???

Mr. Speaker -- very "artful phrasing" there.

Watch it:

See Also:

Husted Blinks: Agrees to Governors Electric Reregulation Language

Husted Makes A Mess Out Of Proposed Energy Legislation