Gov. Robert Ehrlich said he will listen Tuesday to the public?s comments about the General Assembly?s electricity rate relief plan as long as there are people lined up to speak.
But according to the guidelines for the hearing published on the governor?s Web site, only those individuals who receive a confirmation e-mail or phone call from the governor?s office will be allowed to testify in person.
Witnesses must sign up online before 3 p.m. today to be considered to speak.
Those individuals who don?t make the cut are still encouraged to submit written testimony, according to the Web site.
The hearing guidelines described the apparent witness screening process as a time-saving measure. Representatives from the governor?s office could not be reached Sunday afternoon for an explanation of the extraordinary restrictions. Legislative committees typically allow witnesses to sign up prior to the start of the hearing, and set time limits for individual testimony, but do not screen the witness lists.
“I think the governor wants to listen to as many people as his party can shove into that room at one time,” said David Paulson, communications director for the Maryland Democratic Party. “This governor only wants to hear what he wants to hear.”
But Audra Miller, communications director for the state Republican Party, said the rules could be an attempt to weed out special interest groups, including labor unions, that have said they will turn out in force Tuesday to protest the hearing.
“It may just be their way of ensuring that these are BGE ratepayers with legitimate concerns,” Miller said.
The proposed plan, which passed during last week?s special legislative session, would cap electric rate increases at 15 percent for the next 11 months, and give customers an option to immediately go to market rates or start a gradual payment program.
The bill also fires the current Public Service Commission and gives the legislature authority to appoint a new panel.
The purpose of Tuesday?s hearing ? from 3 to 8 p.m. in the Governor?s Reception Room on the second floor of the Statehouse in Annapolis ? is for Ehrlich to gather information to help him decide whether to veto the bill.
But the bill was passed by more than two-thirds of the General Assembly, which means the body could easily over-ride the governor?s veto.
