This stuff really does matter, after all

If someone walks up to you and says, "I'm going to take your money this second," it's probably a robber.

But if someone says, "I'm going to take your money two years from now," it's probably a member of the Florida Legislature.

There's a hard lesson to be learned in the current anger over higher electric rates in this part of Florida, especially for Progress Energy's proposed nuclear plant in Levy County.

Boy, are people mad! They're calling and writing and e-mailing. They're sounding off in letters to the editor and on the Internet.

They're mocking the title of the Florida Public Service Commission, especially the "Service" part. They want to know what they can do.

It is a done deal. The fact is that for each of the last three years, our Legislature has passed a big "energy bill" that has put the law of this state sharply in the favor of Florida's electric companies.

• In 2006, the Legislature passed the first law allowing early billing for nuclear power plants that are just a gleam in the electric company's eye.

• In 2007, more of the companies came back and got a law giving them the same deal for certain coal plants, too.

• And in the 2008 session this spring, they came back yet again and got a law making it easier for them to run new lines, and harder for citizens to fight them.

The net effect has been to put Florida in the forefront of the pro-nuclear, pro-big-power-plant movement.

And although nobody loves to gripe about the Public Service Commission more than I do, now the PSC is mostly just obeying the Legislature.

The answer is, all of them. The first bill back in 2006 (which was pretty much written by the industry) passed by a vote of 39-0 in the Senate, and 118-1 in the House.

Don't look at me. I was right here, waving my arms in the air and yelling, "HEY! THEY'RE PASSING A LAW TO BILL US IN ADVANCE FOR NUCLEAR PLANTS!"

So, here is the lesson. If you're a teacher, tell your pupils. If you're a student of civics, learn this by heart.

The lesson is that what the Legislature does affects us all — even if it doesn't affect us right now. We have to care about what happens beyond today.

The lesson is to read the newspaper like a citizen. The lesson is to reconnect with the town square and to take ownership of our own state. The lesson is to speak up when there's still a chance.

This coming spring the Legislature meets again. Odds are that somewhere along the way, there will be an idea that you like or don't like.

When that day comes, say something. Look up your legislator on the Internet or the phone book. Call or send a letter or an e-mail. Tell them, "I am a Florida voter, and I think this is a bad idea." Or a good idea, as the case may be.

Comments on this article

by Elizabeth	Nov 28, 2008 7:38 PM
I want to know how to get a bill passed requiring that PSC members be elected, not appointed. We need this bill immediately. And it needs to be retro-active, so present members are fired immediately.

by Elizabeth	Nov 28, 2008 9:04 AM
to Pete, since you are for the increase, I am sure you would support a tripling of the income threshold for state assistance with utility bills, right? Or maybe you will personally help the elderly on fixed incomes pay?

by Elizabeth	Nov 28, 2008 9:04 AM
Supporting the criminals at the PE monopoly are supporting the deaths of possibly thousands of poor and elderly who can't pay increased rates. Think about summer in this hell hole of a state. And in a depression it's not possible to sell and move.

by Elizabeth	Nov 28, 2008 9:04 AM
Someone suggested that electing a different legislature would help. It won't help the seniors who will die from heat stroke next summer.

by Erick	Nov 27, 2008 1:13 PM
Hey Tim. Given what Bush, Lott, Delay, Cheney, etc cost us do us a favor and don't bash anyone until Obama gets 4,000 U.S. troops killed, destroys our economy, defunds social programs across the board and puts our collective fate into corporate hands

by chilco	Nov 27, 2008 12:54 PM
Howard....you are wasting your time and breath. Voter's enjoy the quick fix and bail out schemes these days. I recommend you devote the rest of your time writing about the formation of third party candidates & perpetual investigations of our lawmaker

by Pete	Nov 25, 2008 4:00 PM
When you look at your electric bill you find that 30% of the fuel is from Coal, 6% is from Oil. The price of Oil has nothing to do with our electric bill, the price of Coal does! Coal prices are still skyhigh, thus an increase of 25% in our bill.

by rick	Nov 25, 2008 12:30 PM
Progress energy should build only one nuke plant not two. Jeff lyash says actions taken ten years are partly at fault for some of the increase in fuel charges. Imported uranium increased considerably in cost. Renewables don't require imported fuel.

by Lee	Nov 25, 2008 12:26 PM
Troxler,you are the biggest propagandist around.You forget to mention that Progress is not just a regular company,it's HEAVILY regulated by the government.You want green energy?If you regulate business profits,they dont have money to reinvest.

by Mariella	Nov 25, 2008 12:08 PM
"The lesson is to read the newspaper like a citizen. The lesson is to reconnect with the town square and to take ownership of our own state. The lesson is to speak up when there's still a chance." Amen.

by Understand	Nov 25, 2008 9:47 AM
Argenziano says the PSC was compelled to make the decision because of the statute. Not true. They were compelled by the choice to build nuclear. Not approving these costs would cost consumers even more in finance costs, or it would kill the project.

by Understand	Nov 25, 2008 9:47 AM
The Governor and the Legislature have decided that nuclear power is necessary, and that pursuing it is the policy of this state. They have made this clear by 1) killing coal, and 2) passing cost recovery laws. The PSC is only following suit.

by same ol same ol	Nov 24, 2008 8:38 PM
This is exactly what I was thinking when I read in the paper that every incumbent legistlator had been re-elected and more of the same sent to the county commission. Howard is right we WERE warned this would happen--where were you then?

by kipp	Nov 24, 2008 8:37 PM
I voted for the guy that was for it, before he was against it. So don't blame me.

by Nan	Nov 24, 2008 8:35 PM
Read the Statute ; it clearly states that the Legislature is to steer clear of all decisions made at the PSC . The PSC has the latitude to vote anything before it either up or down , that is also in the law ! Blame the PSC not the Legislature !

by Mike Two	Nov 24, 2008 5:22 PM
Howard you need to remind your friend on the PSC that lobbying while unregistered carries a $10,000 fine . Hope Fasano and Legg are gentlemen , because they have her spot on , check the Statute !

by kevin	Nov 24, 2008 2:26 PM
Howard you tried, bully for you. Maybe more going to your editors and having a chat.. and less shouting might sway them to support more serious reform minded candidates and less of the lemmings breed. Free media sways votes.

by Tina	Nov 24, 2008 2:26 PM
Yeah, except you'll get some adloescent intern whose rich daddy got him/her the job of blowing us off when you call. Just try calling Treasury to complain about the bailout. Or Mel Martinez, whose intern says the bailout "does not concern us."

by EM	Nov 24, 2008 2:26 PM
1) This is a "do the lights come on when I flip the switch" issue (not R/D or pro-biz). The state is growing and power demands with it. OH how you would howl if you saw the cost of Power provided by all solar/wind. These things have a cost, folks.

by jimmy	Nov 24, 2008 2:26 PM
poisonous talk, Howard. If you think power is expensive now, just wait until the environmentalists have THEIR WAY with it.

by Kevin	Nov 23, 2008 10:58 PM
The populace pays for everything through one route or another. Look up Shoreham Nuclear power plant.

by Centrist	Nov 23, 2008 10:54 PM
SteveS and americanwhocares: It would seem to me that a Senate vote of 59 to 0 and a house vote of 118 to 1 just might include a Democrat or two.

by Ric	Nov 23, 2008 10:54 PM
Crude oil for January delivery was last down 6 cents to $49.36 a barrel in electronic trading. In January 2009 the rate increase the PSC approved takes effect for Progress Energy customers. Taxation with Represenation doesn't work either.

by Michael	Nov 23, 2008 4:49 PM
Tim: How much did Bush/Cheney cost us?

by ENough	Nov 23, 2008 12:27 PM
Most voters are totally disconnected from the reality of their legislature. The mob, better known as the electorate, is far more interested in what Rays or the Bucs are up to, known as the coliseum mentality. Sex scandals also get their attention.

by Patty	Nov 23, 2008 12:26 PM
Sorry Florida, but the state is always sold to the highest bidder, and it isn't the citizens. Points in fact, the crazy tax system, the insurance "slamming" taking place now, and this crazy agreement, only to mention a few. Nothing talks like money!

by Jerry	Nov 23, 2008 12:23 PM
I lived in Nebraska for a time. I thought the Nebraska legislature was the most corrupt in the country. Looks like Florida is even more corrupt.Way to go Florida.

by alex	Nov 23, 2008 12:22 PM
What gripes me is the PSC sits idly by and does not take a position for or against proposed legislation and later says the legislature made us do it.

by R	Nov 23, 2008 9:23 AM
The St. Petersburg Times endorsed almost all the incumbents for reelection. It would have been nice to see this change in attitude BEFORE the election. Now we're stuck with the same-old, same-old for two years. Pay attention, 2010 is coming!

by Wiseguy	Nov 23, 2008 8:31 AM
You did warn them Howard. What did they do? They voted in the same yoklels. But you know what it will go on again and some POl will say "I'm gonna do ya right" and they will believe them and that will be that. For the People by the People, yea right!

by Marion	Nov 23, 2008 8:27 AM
Even if citizens compained prior to the enactment of poor legislation, current legislators would act in the best interest of corporations and not citizens. We have to elect a more responsible (to the people) legislature. Let's change it in 2010!

by Nancy	Nov 23, 2008 8:17 AM
Too many bills get amended/passed late in the session. Many are committee bills and the sponsor is on a honor system to let others know how the bill changes current law. That did not happen with these bills. They did not tell it all. Shameful!

by Marie	Nov 23, 2008 8:16 AM
The 2006 bill passed handily. The historic past practice of the sponsor of the bill revealing the contents of a bill for other legislators who have not seen it, has disapeared. Sometimes they remove entire sections of law without question. How sad

by Vinnie	Nov 23, 2008 8:10 AM
Yo Howie. So like how come it costs $18 BILLION DOLLARS to build a 'nuke plant? Ain't that kinda dear?

by tim	Nov 23, 2008 8:10 AM
"The lesson is to read the newspaper like a citizen?" Why? The Newspapers aren't going to tell us how much Obama and Nancy Pelosi are going to cost us.