The lesson here is never to declare victory too early. The legislature votes to end a controversial and ineffective program (tiered rates) run by Minnesota's largest natural gas utility. The Governor signs the bill into law. The utility files with the Public Utilities Commission to end the program. Case closed?
Not so fast.
Now comes the generously-funded environmental non-profits to thwart the will of the people. Minnesota State News reports that a group of non-profits has filed to keep the program alive. They want a "working group" convened to reform the program. Only they have the staff to devote to attending working group meetings.
I can already guess the outcome. The working group develops a few cosmetic changes to skirt the law which ends the program and business as usual continues.
It's gotten to the point where you have to win the battle at the fourth and fifth branches (media and bureaucracy) before you can even begin to make a change. Mere democracy is no longer enough.
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