State Sen. Linda Coleman-Madison (D-Birmingham) said she opposes legislation to change the Public Service Commission (PSC) from an elected to an appointed body, despite initially co-sponsoring the bill.
The bill is being fast-tracked through the legislature. It passed a House committee on Tuesday and is expected to be on the House floor for a vote on Thursday.
The bill sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Bobby Singleton (D-Greensboro) and State Rep. Chip Brown (R-Hollinger's Island) was introduced on Thursday and would make the PSC appointed rather than elected.
The bill mandates annual public meetings at which regulated utilities must present to the public and the commission on their rates, costs, and other factors affecting the state and its customers. Under the bill, the three Public Service Commission seats would no longer be elected and would be transitioned over time to an appointed model.
Coleman-Madison said in a statement on Facebook, "I am sharing this because the Senate bill dealing with changing the way the PSC would be appointed has raised many questions by voters. I have heard you loud and clearly, and MY VOTE WILL BE NO although initially I was a co-sponsor on the bill."
"Looking back at history, Alabama has never elected a minority to serve on the Public Service Commission; the rationale to change to an appointed commission was to leverage the opportunity to get a minority appointed. Most people don't know who is on the PSC but they were elected by the people," Coleman-Madison said. The governor would have an appointment, the speaker of the house, and the Lieutenant Governor, but the appointments of the lieutenant governor and the speaker of the house would have to be in agreement with the minority party leadership. Currently, Democrats are the minority party, but it wasn't always that way. When I came into the legislature the Democrats were the majority party. The change would assure the "opportunity for a minority" appointment. Yes, THE PEOPLE SHOULD DECIDE! The 2026 election is upon us. I encourage people to educate yourselves about the candidates. There are minorities and others who are running for PSC, but if you don't vote, and vote in large numbers, because this is a statewide position, nothing will change. If you do not participate in the election process by voting ,nothing will change. The choice is yours."
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every weekday morning.
