In the few areas of the country where true cable competition exists, prices plummet. The most egregious aspect of the electric utility windfall was its principal defender, Sen. Randolph Townsend, R-Reno. He admitted to the Las Vegas Sun's hardassed capital reporter Cy Ryan that the legislature knew this would happen when it passed enabling legislation. For two decades, my old friend Randolph has been politically bulletproof because of the pro-consumer image I helped create for him between 1978 and 1981. Back then, he was indeed pro-ratepayer.
Strange things happen to some people once they get elected.
Things will get even worse, according to Deep Tax, my government insider. Deep Tax says that new laws which changed utility taxation will exacerbate the movement of the tax burden onto residences and away from big business. Public utilities pay a lot of property tax. Because of two boring bills passed this year, utilities will over time avoid a lot of current taxation, forcing counties to jack up yours and mine. Our policy is to stick it to the little guy and benefit corporations.