GOP governor waffling on massive energy rate increases

Maryland governor Ehrlich is facing a tight race for re-election in the autumn as well as a battle over a 72% average energy cost increase for the state. The Maryland General Assembly delivered veto-proof legislation yesterday that would limit the rate increases for consumers on a temporary basis and then provide a few options at a later date. Now Ehrlich is faced with taking on a painfully sensitive subject months before an election that is already close.

His response so far is to call public meetings and listen (i.e. finger in the wind) to the public and try to have a debate on the issue, helping people to understand why the market rates with a 72% increase is actually a good thing. Uh huh, I can't imagine how that debate is going end up because we all know how many people out there are lining up to pay higher energy costs. "Please, please, please raise our rates because the energy business is struggling to make ends meet" is what Ehrlich will no doubt hear.