FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Texas House Challenger Says Texas Electric Rates Rising at More Than Twice the National Average (OGLESBY)-- Texas House challenger Ernie Casbeer today said he will work for comprehensive utility reform to rollback electric rates and ease the financial pressure on middle-class families and small businesses struggling in the face of power prices that are rising at more than twice the national average. “Ordinary Texans who work hard and play by the rules deserve some relief,” Casbeer said. “The energy crisis is putting the squeeze on our economic future while Austin politicians look the other way.” Casbeer said utility rates have skyrocketed since his opponent’s political bosses pushed through a deregulation plan a decade ago. That plan, sold by state leaders on the promise that it would “benefit Texans by reducing monthly rates,” has now resulted in the nationa’s highest utility rates, according to an analysis in today’s Wall Street Journal. “It’s time to start putting middle-class families first and Austin politics last,” Casbeer said. The energy crisis is putting jobs at risk, Casbeer said, especially in the manufacturing sector where as much as 80 percent of company expenditures are directly attributable to utility costs. Public schools and local governments are also being rocked by the soaring costs, he said. “The Texas Legislature is going to have to reform the system and insist on strict accountability in the power markets to bring down electric costs for consumers,” Casbeer said. “The deregulation experiment has failed.” Casbeer noted that record fuel costs are costing jobs at major utilities and driving even smaller electric providers into bankruptcy. “My opponent has pocketed thousands of dollars in campaign cash from utility lobbyists in his political career while rates have gone through the roof,” Casbeer said. “Obviously, consumers shouldn’t look to him to solve this crisis.” A public school teacher for the past 39 years, Casbeer and his family live in Oglesby, where they are active in their church and a variety of community groups. The general election is November 4.
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