Living in Tampa, Florida, like many others, I am a customer of the Tampa Electric Company (TECO) as they have the monopoly for our electric service. Lately, an alarming trend has emerged—TECO, our local regulated monopoly, has been incrementally hiking their rates every few months. These increases, far from being trivial, have placed an undue burden on countless Floridians who are struggling to make ends meet as it is. For many, keeping the lights on has begun to feel like a luxury. To add insult to injury, TECO imposes additional deposits due to these rate increases, leading to compounded financial pressures.

As Floridians, we deserve better than having to navigate these financial landmines set by an investor-owned entity we once trusted. These arbitrary financial penalties are draining household resources, hindering our quality of life, and unfairly targeting those who are already paying their bills consistently. Families are being forced to choose between paying soaring utility bills and maintaining essential household expenses like groceries and healthcare.

According to data from the Florida Public Service Commission, TECO's rate hikes have seen more than a 10% rise over the last five years. This means that our monthly electricity expenses have increased significantly, coupled by their back-door utility penalties and compounding deposit fees, which further exacerbate the financial load on citizens.

It's crucial to note that TECO, as a regulated monopoly, is supposed to provide fair services to all its customers. However, recent practices have shown that TECO may not be balancing its responsibilities to customers with its profit-driven motives.

We are calling on Florida's legislators to take immediate action and protect Floridians from TECO's exploitations. We demand legislative reforms that will introduce strict oversight on utility companies like TECO that systematically disadvantage their customers. These reforms should:

• Prohibit TECO from imposing excessive rate hikes that aren’t thoroughly justified and transparent.
•  Put a stop to additional deposit requirements due to rate increases to established customers.
• Put a ceiling cap on the amount of rate increases allowed.
• Enforce clear guidelines and penalties on back-door utility charges and practices.

By enacting these reforms, we can ensure that TECO operates fairly and transparently, focusing on delivering reliable service rather than profit maximization at the expense of Floridians.

Join me in holding TECO accountable. With enough support, we can compel our elected officials to enact the necessary legislative protections. Sign this petition and stand up for fair utility practices in Florida!