Steinhoff Defends Coffman Firing

State Economic Development Director Gregory Steinhoff does not want to say he has replaced the state Public Counsel because he wants the office to be more business friendly.Steinhoff fired Public Counsel John Coffman, abruptly, earlier this week. He’s replaced him with Lewis Mills Junior. Steinhoff says the role of the Public Counsel as a consumer’s representative is important in determining how the business climate is affected. Coffman had criticized some pro-utility legislaiton passed by the legisalture this year. Steinhoff says Mills is free to do the same thing, even if it is not in the best long-term interest of the Blunt administration.