Hilferty wants to be the public's voice on the Louisiana PSC
Legislator seeks to represent District 1 in the May 16 GOP primary
Like most Louisianans, Stephanie Hilferty is tired of seemingly constant utility rate increases.
That’s why she decided to run for the Louisiana Public Service Commission.
“Reliable power isn’t a luxury,” Hilferty says in a recent social media post. “It’s how you keep your food from spoiling. It’s how your kids do homework at night. And it’s how small businesses stay open after a storm.
“It’s non-negotiable, and I’ll treat it that way on the PSC.”
Hilferty, 40, is running for the state PSC District 1. Her opponents in the May 16 Republican primary are Wallace “Wayne” Cooper, John Mason, Mark Wright and John Young. Connie Norris is running unopposed in the Democratic primary. Incumbent Eric Skrmetta (R-Metairie) is running for U.S. Senate.
Early voting is scheduled May 2-9.
Hilferty has represented District 94 in the state Legislature since 2016. She has served on the committees for commerce, education and municipal, parochial and cultural affairs. She also is a senior advisor at SRSA Commercial Real Estate. Her legislative district includes portions of New Orleans and Metairie.
As a legislator, Hilferty led landmark reforms of the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board, strengthened oversight and transparency, cracked down on unfair practices and saved ratepayers more than $20 million by correcting incorrect billing through legislation.
On both her campaign Facebook page and campaign website, Hilferty emphasizes her commitment to keeping utility costs low for Louisiana’s energy consumers.
“Ever wonder why your electric bill keeps going up?” she asks on another social media posts. “Here’s how it works: Utility companies file requests for rate increases. The Louisiana Public Service Commission reviews them — and approves them, usually without much pushback.
“That’s the system. And it’s been working great ... for the utility companies.
“When I’m on the LPSC, I’ll ask the hard questions, demand justification and fight to keep more money in your pocket.”
For Hilferty, “I will fight for you” isn’t just a slogan.
She considers it a commitment to stand up for families, seniors and small businesses in her district.
“This is what public service is really supposed to mean: being a voice for people, fighting through bureaucracy, demanding transparency, and keeping taxpayers and ratepayers front and center,” Hilferty says.
During a recent campaign speech, Hilferty talked about her 10 years in the Legislature and how it has given her “an amazing opportunity” to advocate for her constituents.
“And really, a part of this job is advocating for the rate payer,” she said. “In the Legislature, that means something a little different. We see all sorts of issues. So, when somebody called me two years ago in December, one of my constituents … called me and she said my insurance has denied my histotripsy claim. I Googled histotripsy. It is an ultrasound that can ablate cancer and, in this case, it was liver cancer.
“And for the next two weeks, it was my mission to call the Department of Insurance and her healthcare provider … and say, ‘Why the hell is this not being covered for this woman? For two weeks, many calls were made. Strong words were used. And a week later, so three weeks after the initial call, she called me and said, ‘I don’t know what you did, but they just approved my treatment.’”
Hilferty calls stories like that her reason why she loves public service.
“If I can help somebody individually like that, that is what propels me through this service,” she says. “In this position, it’s a little different, right? The constituents are the rate payers. And we are your voice at that table. We are here making sure that when decisions are made, the rate payer is front and center and that there is accountability and transparency throughout that process.”
Hilferty says Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois is doing “an amazing job of bringing a lot of industry to this state.”
“And the state is facing an inflection point,” Hilferty says. “We are about to bring on a lot of new power to this state to accommodate this growth. And it is incumbent upon the public service commissioners currently serving and those that will be elected that we, the rate payers, are not subsidizing that growth.
“So that is going to be a key that we see. Decisions being made this year are going to have a tail that is 20 to 40 years long.”
Hilferty says the next few years are crucial to the state.
“It is about making sure our power is reliable, and it is affordable. And I’m committed to be your voice on the Public Service Commission.”
The District 1 seat represents large swaths of Orleans, Jefferson, St. Tammany, Tangipahoa, Plaquemines, St. Bernard, St. Charles, Livingston, Washington and St. Helena parishes.