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Senate Committee “Strongly” Recommends Brown for PUC Post

The Senate Consumer Affairs and Professional Licensure Committee on Tuesday “strongly” recommended Gladys J. Brown of Harrisburg to the full Senate for her nomination to the PA Public Utility Commission (PUC).
 
Chairman Robert Tomlinson (R-Bucks) offered his support for Brown’s nomination, but expressed his regret that she will have to leave the Senate, where she has worked for more than 20 years. She was presented to the Committee by Sen. Jay Costa (D-Allegheny) and Sen. Rob Teplitz (D-Dauphin). 
 
Costa, Brown’s current employer, noted the key role she has played in the Senate, and that she has been involved in utility and consumer protection issues since she started work in the Chamber. He said, “We’ve all come to rely on her for her knowledge, thorough understanding of issues, and professionalism.” Teplitz said that when he was a Senate staffer, he relied on Ms. Brown for advice and assistance.
 
Brown told the committee that during her 22 and a half years working for the Senate she worked on all the major deregulation bills, including telecommunications, electricity, and natural gas. She said her approach to the work is to educate herself, gain a deep understanding of the arguments, and address questions about the impact. Brown said she well knows the impact her decisions will have on the lives of Pennsylvanians and that she will use that same work ethic as a PUC commissioner, protecting consumers first.  She said one of her goals as a commissioner will be to increase consumer education and expand on the relationship between the PUC and the Commission.
 
ERG wishes her well in this new important position!