Did Hurt vote to raise electricity rates?
Perriello claims Hurt voted to raise electricity rates Speaker: Perriello Target: Hurt Ruling statement: “Sen. Robert Hurt voted for a bill that’s raised your electric rates seven times.” Statement date: Oct. 12 Ruling: False RICHMOND — Electricity has become a hair-raising issue in Virginia’s 5th Congressional District race, with Democratic incumbent Tom Perriello blaming Republican challenger and state Sen. Robert Hurt for steep increases in Appalachian Power Co. rates. In a recent TV ad replete with “zap!” sound effects, lightning bolt graphics, a frightened kitten and photos of wide-eyed people with static-spiked hair gawking at utility bills, Perriello lays out his claim. “How do most Virginia families react to their electric bills? Pure shock,” the ad says. “That’s because Sen. Robert Hurt voted for a bill that’s raised your electric rates seven times. Rates have gone up over 50 percent. Those increases also caused factories to close and jobs to be lost. For ignoring your pain, S
