Murzin Among Applicants For Open Public Service Commission Seats

June 19, 2014

With a series of major issues looming in the future for utilities and regulators, two upcoming vacancies on the Florida Public Service Commission have drawn 33 applicants — including Commissioner Julie Brown, who is seeking appointment to another four-year term, and Dave Murzin from Escambia County.

Murzin, who served in the House from 2002 to 2010, said utilities will deal with issues such as federal attempts to phase out coal-fired power plants. Murzin said he has long been involved in utility issues as a lawmaker and in other roles and said that would prepare him for a spot on the Public Service Commission.

“I’d hit the ground running,” said Murzin, who now works as an aide to state Sen. Greg Evers, R-Baker. “I’m the type of geek that keeps up with that sort of thing.”

The terms of Brown and Commissioner Eduardo Balbis will expire in January, touching off a selection process that involves a nominating panel whittling the list of applicants and recommending finalists to Gov. Rick Scott, who will make appointments to the seats.

Balbis announced last month he would not seek another term, saying in a letter to the Public Service Commission Nominating Council that after discussions “with my family and those closest to me, I have decided the time is right to seek new challenges in other arenas after the expiration of my current term.”

Brown is seeking to follow the path of commission Chairman Art Graham and commissioners Ronald Brise and Lisa Edgar, who were reappointed by Scott when their terms were set to expire.

The list of applicants, submitted before a Tuesday deadline, also includes state Rep. Jimmy Patronis, R-Panama City; Public Service Commission General Counsel and former longtime lawmaker Curt Kiser.

The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.

Comments

Comments are closed.

Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News