Florida Legislators Target PSC Chairperson

Nancy Argenziano is chairperson of the Florida Public Service Commission (PSC). Appointed to the commission in 2007 by Gov. Charlie Crist and elected chairperson for 2010 and 2011, she has been a vocal critic of the “cozy” relationship between utilities and PSC staffers, and of the influence utilities have with legislators. Florida’s business-oriented Republican legislators don’t like that. They want Argenziano out. So do the utilities, as well as Associated Industries of Florida, a group that represents businesses.

“She is fighting for consumers, and the utilities don’t like that,” said Bill Newton, executive director of the Florida Consumer Action Network. “Utilities are among the largest contributors to the legislature, so it is no surprise that they are doing the utilities’ bidding.”¹

So in drafting a new bill (7209) to reorganize the PSC, legislators inserted a provision that those appointed to the commission have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college. Argenziano dropped out of college to raise her child. The fact that she spent 10 years in the Florida legislature, which included a stint on the Public Service Commission Oversight committee, doesn’t seem to matter. Without a degree, legislators claim, she’s not qualified “to understand complicated rate cases.”²

Drafted by Stephen Precourt (R-Orlando), the bill initially moved the PSC technical staff to control of the legislature. Argenziano responded, “There can be no confidence by the citizens of this state in the operation of the PSC, knowing that the PSC labors under the direction of the legislature accepting millions from those regulated.”³ Gov. Crist said last month he’d veto the bill as initially proposed.

Precourt is the same guy who sponsored a bill to give tax breaks to filmmakers, but only if they avoid “non-traditional family values” – in other words, no gay characters. When the clause was publicized, he gave three different scenarios (none true) for his gay bias. And Precourt actually has a bachelor’s degree, in engineering.

In several committee actions last week, 34 lawmakers voted in favor of the House version of the bill. Five of those legislators don’t have college degrees themselves. A Senate version of 7209 does not include the college degree requirement.

¹,²,³: Quotes reported by Fort Lauderale’s Sun-Sentinel.