Move to Recall California Gov. Gray Davis Ignores GOP Role in Energy Companies' Robbing of State's Consumers

Interview with Tyson Slocum, research director of Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy Program, conducted by Melinda Tuhus

While almost every state in the U.S. is suffering from a major budget crisis, California's budget meltdown dwarfs other states' problems. California is facing a shortfall of up to $35 billion, more than most states' entire budgets. This crisis has prompted a move to recall Gov. Gray Davis, and his opponents are close to having enough signatures verified to accomplish this goal. If Davis is recalled, a special election for governor will be held in which Davis will run again and potentially face Republican Congressman Darrel Issa, who has declared his intention to run. The election itself will cost $30 million, money which is not in the state budget.

One of the main reasons Davis opponents give for the recall move is his handling of the state's 2000-2001 energy crisis. Lost in the politicking over the recall is the role of Enron and other energy companies in manipulating the energy market to their advantage, leading to great financial hardship for consumers in the state.

Between The Lines' Melinda Tuhus spoke with Tyson Slocum, research director for Public Citizen's Critical Mass Energy program. He talks about Governor Davis' role in the energy crisis, the involvement of his predecessor Pete Wilson in pushing through electricity deregulation and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission's lack of oversight of the energy supply during the crisis.

Contact Public Citizen by calling (202) 588-1000, or visit their website at www.citizen.org

Related links:

"Utility Greed, Not Power Shortage, Root Cause of California's Deregulation Disaster" Between The Lines interview with Harvey Wasserman, energy activist, Feb. 9, 2001

"California's Deregulation Disaster," The Nation, Jan. 25, 2001
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how can the enron linked energy scandal be blamed on Davis when it was only AFTER he wrote an editorial in the NYTimes, in which he publicly threatened the federal government (pres. Bush) with a lawsuit, that the Bush intervened and stopped the bloated enron monstrosity?

Shortly thereafter, Enron blew up in the face of the White House.
(run, duck, dodge. the court says produce the energy papers, Cheney.)

By the way, their leader, gW, flew around in Kenny-Boy Lay's private jet during the 2000 election campaign preaching a compassionate campaign.

rumor* has it, Davis is stuck in bed with a case of diarrhea that has been linked to orange county.



*a satirical rumor, at that