Red Queen Hijacks SB 408

Senate Bill 408 is a consumer protection bill that was written to protect ratepayers of PGE and Pacificorp, (aka Enron and Scottish Power) from at least a portion of the $100 - $150 million per year that these utilities are currently charging ratepayers for taxes that the utilities are not, in fact, obligated to pay.

There is broad bi-partisan support for ending this scam. This bill passed the Senate by a vote of 26-4, with all Democrats, and a majority of Republicans voting in favor. It was endorsed by arch-conservatives like former Republican chair, Kevin Mannix and radio blowhard, Lars Larson.

On Friday, in a move that made Karl Rove proud, and George Orwell roll over in his grave, Wayne Krieger's House Committee on State and Federal Affairs added an amendment, perportedly pushed by PGE attorneys in meetings with Minnis, that reverses the consumer protections created by the Senate, and instead has proferred a bill that actually aids and abets big utilities in their tax scam for another 5 years.

Thanks to public interest attorney, and all around good guy, Dan Meek, for his tireless work on this issue.