Court Overturns Firing of Public Service Commission

The Baltimore Sun is reporting the Maryland's highest court has ruled that the state legislature does not have the authority to remove members of the Public Service Commission (PSC). The General Assembly had sacked the entire commission when they passed legislation to alleviate some of the impact of huge electricity rate increases over the veto of Governor Bob Ehrlich. The rate hikes had previously been approved by the PSC.

The court action effectively reinstates the PSC members appointed by Governor Ehrlich.

Tags: Maryland; Court of Appeals; Public Service Commission; electricity deregulation