What if New York lawmakers could veto utility rate hikes?

And homeless folks in Auburn say they were paid to fake campaign contributions to a state Senate candidate.

Good afternoon — it’s Friday and Relaxation Day.

In today’s CapCon:

• One lawmaker wants the Legislature to be able to reverse rate hikes approved by the Public Service Commission after it cleared increases for two companies.

• Homeless people in central New York say they were paid to be listed as donors to the campaign of a state Senate candidate.

• Tired of paying more for food on the Thruway or at airports? That could change.

• Amid threats of violence in politics, a new bill would allow the addresses of candidates for office to be private.

• The state may soon have new requirements for how it pays for services contracted out to organizations.

Names in today’s CapCon: Angelo Santabarbara, Kathy Hochul, Caleb Slater, Rachel May, Nily Rozic, Rebecca Seawright, Noah Burroughs

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(Will Waldron/Times Union)

⚡ Should the Legislature have veto power over utility rate hikes approved by the PSC?

I’ve seen several statements from elected officials over the past 24 hours criticizing the Public Service Commission for approving utility rate hikes for two companies Thursday.

Those statements have all had one thing in common. They all said something needs to be done to help ratepayers but none of them offered a tangible solution other than to pressure the commission and utility companies to contain costs.

This is one of those situations that will fade from public view a few weeks from now and be forgotten until the next rate increase is approved.

But one state lawmaker said Friday he’s introducing a bill that could allow an immediate and direct response to rate hikes.

The Utility Rate Hike Legislative Review Act would allow the Legislature to reject or reduce rate hikes approved by the Public Service Commission, effectively acting as a veto over the regulatory agency’s authority.