Toole represents all consumers

Editor,

The Montana Public Service (PSC) Commission is a very important agency in terms of its significance to consumers with supervisory authority of utilities and transportation matters. The Democrats control that commission by a 3 to 2 margin now, and future control of the agency depends on one race this fall.

That race is District 5 in which State Senator Ken Toole (D-Helena) is running against Mike Taylor (R-Proctor). Toole is a strong advocate for Montana consumers, while Taylor was always favorable to business interests when he was in the Legislature. In this case, Taylor's consistent support of big business proved to be disastrous for Montana consumers.

In 1997 the Legislature passed Senate Bill 390 that deregulated electricity. Taylor was one of the co-sponsors of that bill and voted for it. Toole was not in the Legislature that session but publicly opposed it. A bill to deregulate natural gas was also passed in that session. Taylor once again voted for it, while Toole once again was in opposition to this deregulation legislation.

Both bills were strongly supported by Republicans and opposed by Democrats. We are all aware of the huge increases that have taken place in gas and electricity bills since 1997. The promises of Republicans supporting these bills that this legislation would "create a competitive markets and decrease the cost of utilities" has proven to be incorrect.

Your choice is clear in choosing the new commissioner for PSC District 5. It could not be more clear. Ken Toole clearly supports the interests of consumers, while his opponent clearly does not. I suggest a vote for Toole would be very wise.

Ray Peck, Ed.D.

Helena

Mike Taylor responds:

No, I did not vote for deregulation on the final reading, and did not vote for it after it was amended in the House and brought back to the Senate. Yes, more than 60 Democrats and Republicans signed on as sponsors of the bill and I was one of them. And yes, I voted for the bill the first time I heard it. The first vote is not the vote of record, only the last vote matters.

And there is the real truth. As a first-time legislator I did my own research and made my own decision. I did vote for the natural gas deregulation, as did many Democrats and Republicams.