DeSantis Appoints Bobby Payne and Ana Ortega to Florida Public Service Commission

Overview

• Payne, a former Seminole Electric Cooperative executive and 2016–2024 state representative, carried PSC-focused measures including HB 1645, HB 229 and HB 405.
• Ortega serves as chief policy adviser to PSC Chair Mike La Rosa and as chief aide to National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners President Tricia Pridemore.
• The appointments followed an August shortlist from the PSC Nominating Council; commissioners serve staggered four-year terms with an annual salary of $158,094.
• Reporting differs on which incumbent is being replaced alongside Art Graham, with Florida Politics naming Giles Fay and Florida Phoenix naming Andrew Fay.
• Watchdog Food & Water Watch urged a shift toward community priorities, citing PSC-approved bill increases since 2019 and noting Florida Power & Light has revised a nearly $10 billion rate proposal.