On Monday, State Rep. Mack Butler (R-Rainbow City) discussed a controversial Public Service Commission (PSC) bill ending popular election to the body, arguing residents of Alabama need more time to weigh in on the issue before any future legislative action.
"I was opposed to that bill from day one, the minute I heard about it," Butler said in an interview with "Alabama Political Contributor." "Just never want to remove the vote from the people. The PSC definitely needs some help. We're not getting the job done currently, but I think with some simple legislation, we could mandate the hearings they haven't had since 1982."
"We are the highest in the region, third highest in the nation," he continued. "I think we're 30%-40% higher than TVA tells you. There is a problem. The power company is recording record profits. So we definitely, definitely need to do something. I did not think that was the answer."
According to the lawmaker, the PSC legislation faced multiple obstacles in Montgomery.
"The bill did not move in the Senate, like I think leadership thought it would, so maybe that was the issue," Butler contended. "When I got to the State House Thursday morning, I started hearing about a recording that the power company lobbyist was on. That might have been the issue. I also started hearing that support was waning for the bill in the House. So, we got there Thursday morning, and it was no longer on the calendar."
Butler argued that the bill was being moved "far too quickly," with its supporters in the legislature not allowing voters enough time to educate themselves about the issue.
"It's healthy to have discussion and debate," said Butler. "I think the bill moved far too quickly. We need to dig into everything. Most importantly, as a representative, I work for the people back home, and I need to give those people back home time to weigh in on what their thoughts are on the issue, but the foot was on the accelerator, and I'm not exactly sure why."
He added, "I personally hope the bill is dead for the session."
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