MARTIN O’MALLEY CALLS FOR NEW LEADERSHIP TO PROTECT MARYLAND FAMILIES AND BUSINESSES FROM 72% EHRLICH RATE HIKE

BALTIMORE  Martin O’Malley called for new leadership to protect Maryland families and businesses from the Ehrlich Public Service Commission’s anticipated 72% rate hike in utility bills.

“This is a low-point in the 96 year history of the Public Service Commission,” said Martin O’Malley.  “Bob Ehrlich has turned a watchdog agency whose sole purpose is to protect Maryland families into a lapdog for special interests.”   

Speaking in front of the Public Service Commission offices in Baltimore, O’Malley called on Ehrlich to immediately install new leadership at the commission. 

O’Malley reiterated his call for a shock absorber to protect Maryland families and businesses from the Ehrlich Rate Hike.

“It’s a governor’s job to solve problems, not create them,” said O’Malley.

On Friday, after the Ehrlich Public Service Commission announced that utility bills would soar $743 for the average Maryland family and small business, O’Malley sent Governor Ehrlich a letter requesting that Ehrlich order his Public Services Commission back to the drawing board.  Among his recommendations was that the Ehrlich Public Service Commission eliminate the 5% interest surcharge they called for on top of the 72% rate hike and that they take affirmative steps to protect senior citizens and others living on fixed or low incomes.