Northeastern Governors Urge Senate to Include Home Heating Funds in Economic Stimulus Package

January 30, 2008 -- Montpelier, Vt. — Vermont Governor Jim Douglas and the Coalition of Northeastern Governors (CONEG) today sent a letter to the United States Senate urging them to include additional funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) currently being considered in Washington.

“As the Senate considers an economic stimulus package, the Coalition of Northeastern Governors urges you to include the bipartisan request for an additional $3.62 billion in regular program funds to fully fund LIHEAP and $500 million in contingency funding,” the governors wrote in a letter signed by Gov. Douglas (R-VT), who chairs the coalition, and Governors Corzine (D-NJ) and Lynch (D-NH).

The governors said this level of funding will help meet the immediate economic needs of low-income households across the country; it can be quickly and efficiently distributed by the states; and would help boost the economy.

“Additional LIHEAP funding can be quickly distributed and translated into spending in the local economies…and will permit more households to pay their home energy bills; heat their homes safely; and better manage daily demands on the household budget,” the governors said. “We urge (the Senate) to support an economic stimulus package that includes $3.13 billion for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, as well as $500 million in LIHEAP contingency funds.”

The Senate Finance Committee is scheduled to consider the Senate’s economic stimulus today in an executive session of the Senate Finance Committee. Various amendments may be considered, including funding for LIHEAP, food stamps, Medicaid and unemployment assistance. There are reports that the stimulus package could be on the Senate floor as early as Thursday.

ABOUT LIHEAP IN VERMONT

Averaging about $1169 per household, thanks to financial commitments made by Governor Douglas, Vermont provides the most generous LIHEAP benefit in the country. LIHEAP helps eligible families pay the costs of heating and insulating their homes in the winter. More than 20,000 households in Vermont receive fuel assistance annually.

Vermonters who think they may be eligible for LIHEAP assistance should request an application by calling the Office of Home Heating Fuel Assistance toll free at 1-800-479-6151. Applications are accepted through February 29, 2008.

Source: Vermont Governor

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