Talk about a STUPID bill

[GrapeApe]

Some group here in Alabama has proposed a bill that prohibits "vulnerable households" from having their power cut off due to non-payment of bills.
I don't see this ending well if passed. To paraphrase the late Robin Williams, "Pay your bill, or we'll say pay your bill again" (His thing about unarmed British Bobbies, "Stop, or we'll say stop again" )

https://www.wsfa.com/2025/04/28/new-bil ... shut-offs/

[PFD45]

That reminds me of a program where poor K-8 students could get free lunches.

Once word got out there were "no questions asked", even well off families stopped paying.

[GrapeApe]

Yep

[Justsomedude]

I'll never understand telling a private company that they have to provide a service or product. Even as a diabetic that uses insulin, I always said that if I were an insulin manufacturer and the government put a cap on my product price, I'd stop making it just to prove a point.

[CPJ 2.0]

Supposedly, the customer have to pay it back if they can’t pay the monthly bill. It’s not a hand out.

Yet.

[GrapeApe]

Supposedly, the customer have to pay it back if they can’t pay the monthly bill. It’s not a hand out.

Yet.

Yeah, the bill specifies they have to pay it back, HOWEVER what incentive is there?
They couldn't pay last month's bill and still have power. My prediction... the first month money's tight for one of the "protected" groups, they're not going to even consider paying their bill. Then, when nothing happens, they'll just quit worrying about it and use that money for the stuff they " REALLY need" you know, like new phones and such because they know the power company can't turn it off

Leeches gonna leech

[CPJ 2.0]

What’s the chances that it will pass?

[GrapeApe]

unsure. My HOPE is "Not a chance in hell"

[jbp-ohio]

That reminds me of a program where poor K-8 students could get free lunches.

Once word got out there were "no questions asked", even well off families stopped paying.

The schools around here decided it was too embarrassing for the kids getting a free lunch to be singled out as needing a free lunch. So....... they give EVERYONE a free lunch.

[sakodude]

Same in Colorado now for a few years. Free lunch for everyone.
Even during summer break, drive thru free lunch!

[Bigslug]

Hey. . .the Bradys of California have introduced one to make Glocks illegal because it's possible to put an already illegal full-auto conversion backplate on them - - - -which, if you've ever shot one, just makes the pistol significantly LESS dangerous to the person being aimed at via loss of control. Basically, ban the boring, everyman's Honda Civic because it's technically possible to turn it into a lowered street racer.

Sounds like your Alabama folks have a similar shortage of critical thinking, rather than a shortage of electricity.

[GrapeApe]

Yeah.... Alabama gov't was SOOOO PROUD, when they made "Glock Switches" illegal at the state level earlier this year

[Zorba]

Sounds like "Commiefornia Creep".

[Zsarvashere]

I'll never understand telling a private company that they have to provide a service or product. Even as a diabetic that uses insulin, I always said that if I were an insulin manufacturer and the government put a cap on my product price, I'd stop making it just to prove a point.

Now's their chance