Pass Affordable Energy Legislation

Responding to "Florida House and Senate are deeply divided over budget," published on 2/17/26.

The House and Senate are once again tied up debating the state budget. Meanwhile, families statewide are focused on something much more basic: paying their bills.

But at some point, the constant back‑and‑forth starts to feel like a do‑nothing legislature. There’s plenty of talk, but little real action to lower costs for the people who live here. Especially when our utility regulator—the Public Service Commission—has become a rubber stamp for record-setting utility rate hikes. Last year, Florida Power & Light was approved for the largest rate increase in U.S. history!

If lawmakers truly want to keep Florida affordable, they should move meaningful legislation like the Affordable Energy Reform Act (SB 1532), which would protect ratepayers from skyrocketing electricity bills and put families ahead of corporate profits.

Senate President‑Elect Jim Boyd has an opportunity to take the lead on this issue by supporting common-sense reforms that make everyday expenses a little easier for all of us. Voters are watching, and it’s past time for state leadership to show it can put people ahead of politics and pass Affordable Energy Legislation.

Sabine Prather
Sun City Center