DeLaney astonished by Republican refusal to take ratepayers’ side

Today, House Democrats offered an array of amendments to House Bill 1002 to give Hoosiers financial relief and expand protections for their utility services. One of those amendments would have prohibited utility companies from passing on the costs of lobbying and political activities to customers. House Republicans chose to block this amendment on procedural grounds instead of allowing it to be voted on.

State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) issued the following statement after speaking out on the House Floor against a ruling to not allow a vote on the amendment:

“It seems straightforward to me that consumers should not be footing the bill for utility companies to lobby directly against the interest of consumers. However, when my colleague State Rep. Matt Pierce (D-Bloomington) offered an amendment to prohibit utilities from passing along the cost of lobbying to ratepayers, the Republicans chose to block the measure in order to duck a yes or no vote. This could have been an opportunity to prove to consumers that the general assembly is looking out for their best interest. However, the supermajority is unwilling to go on the record about whether they are on the side of the utility company or the ratepayers.”