Davis has been characteristically cautious in his approach to the possible initiative. Re-regulation could put him squarely between the rock of angry consumers and the hard place of state utilities and powerful business interests. While Davis is publicly seeking relief for consumers, he's also being besieged by utilities, manufacturers, energy suppliers and others. He'll have to work hard not to risk alienating either voters or campaign supporters. It's political survival.
Lawmakers raise money to help themselves survive.
But if one's constituents are so up in arms on an issue, it may overcome all contributions. That is a more serious matter of survival. Fix the energy problem to voters' satisfaction or risk losing. If you can't appease voters, face the problem early enough to dissipate their anger well before election time. That's what Davisswift move toward rate hikes is about.