Maryland Governor Rejects Do-Nothing Special Session

The Washington Times reports on the already-doubtful special session demanded by some Maryland Democrats:

Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. ... dismissed Democrats' calls for a special session on energy rates, saying they either lack a plan or offer proposals that are "sorely lacking."

"To call a special session just to hang around in the summertime and pretend you are doing something, without doing anything, makes absolutely no sense," said Mr. Ehrlich, a Republican.

"If they can come up with a better plan ... to provide rate stabilization and to ensure reliability, ensure the lights come on and the air conditioners work this summer, count me in," he said. "In fact, I'll lead the charge [for a special session]."

...

"You simply cannot have a special session and attack the Public Service Commission," Mr. Ehrlich said. "My purpose in calling a special session would be additional rate relief."

He faulted Baltimore County Executive James T. Smith Jr., Anne Arundel County Executive Janet S. Owens and Howard County Executive James N. Robey, all Democrats, for demanding this week a special session without presenting an plan.

The Maryland rate hikes represent the natural result of failed price-controls, not something that can be fixed legislatively.

The Washington Post looks closer to the District to observe that people in Maryland and DC pay different rates for electricity. It shows some of the odd results of overregulation (where, amazingly enough, it looks like DC is doing a better job than Maryland).

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