Ehrlich hears calls for veto of electricity rate bill

After more than six hours of testimony from the public yesterday, Gov. Robert L. Ehrlich Jr. hinted he might call the General Assembly back for another try to cushion soaring electricity bills.

"Can we do better?" Mr. Ehrlich said at the conclusion of public hearings last night in Annapolis. "That's obviously the crux of the matter."

Fifty-nine people testified before the governor outside his State House office, and 40 told him to veto a bill passed by the legislature last week that freezes a 15 percent increase for Baltimore Gas and Electric Co. customers until next summer.

People said they wanted to be able to choose...