September 14, 2006
WBAL Radio and The Associated Press
The candidates for governor in Maryland are still talking about utility rates.
Today was the first debate between Republican incumbent Robert Ehrlich and Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley.
The debate in Timonium was sponsored by the AARP and was mostly congenial, but the candidates traded barbs over electricity rate hikes that took effect this summer.
O’Malley drew applause when he said that the state’s Public Service Commission failed to look out for consumers and sided with BGE. But Ehrlich said that nothing could be done to keep rates the same because utility deregulation was approved seven years ago, before he was governor.
Both candidates voiced support for more programs to allow senior citizens to stay in their homes as they age.
O’Malley also called for lower tuition rates at community colleges. Ehrlich laid out no new ideas, but said his administration has done a good job and deserves another term.