Low-income households

INDIANAPOLIS (November 16, 2007) - The state is well-prepared to help Hoosiers who need financial assistance with winter fuel costs during the upcoming heating season, Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels said today.

"We've taken all the steps we can again this year to be ready to help Hoosiers. In addition, the state's largest utility companies will help people whose incomes are above 150 percent of poverty, much like the Help Thy Neighbor program has the last two years. We appreciate that," said the governor.    » read more »

Expresses Concern Over Oil Prices Impact on Future Job Growth

November 16, 2007 - As the rising price of oil continues to affect everything from gasoline to home heating oil, Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today reminded residents that in Connecticut there is a moratorium on utility service shut-offs.    » read more »

Portland State University event is start of tour promoting expanded financial aid to low- and middle-income college students

November 14, 2007 -- Salem - Oregon Governor Ted Kulongoski today launched a tour to promote the expanded Oregon Opportunity Grant, a program that will increase financial aid for low- and middle-income students. The Governor began the tour at Portland State University today and will travel to Springfield High School and Rogue Community College in Medford tomorrow to continue to let students and families know about the program.    » read more »

November 8, 2007 -- The Michigan Public Service Commission (MPSC) today noted that it has made available $70 million in energy assistance and energy efficiency grants to a number of Michigan organizations to help low-income customers this winter heating season.

"With temperatures falling, it is good to know that the customers who need it most will be able to apply for much-needed assistance in paying their bills and to make their homes more energy efficient," said MPSC Chairman Orjiakor Isiogu.

The MPSC made $50 million in grants for energy assistance to the following organizations:    » read more »

Bill also contains $250 million increase for LIHEAP program to help families nationwide pay home heating bills

November 7, 2007 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today again urged President Bush to drop his veto threat and sign into law the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education Appropriations bill, which funds more than $9.1 million for vital education and health care initiatives for Central Iowa. The Senate passed the bill with a bi-partisan vote of 56-37; the House will vote on the legislation before sending it to the President’s desk.    » read more »

November 6, 2007 -- Washington, D.C. - Senators Edward M. Kennedy and John F. Kerry today called on the Administration to release heating oil from the Northeast Home Heating Oil Reserve.    » read more »

November 05, 2007 -- MADISON – Wisconsin Governor Jim Doyle announced today the release of $3.2 million of Wisconsin Home Energy Assistance Program (WHEAP) crisis assistance funds to help low and fixed income households keep their homes warm this upcoming heating season.    » read more »

November 2, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced $510 million in financing for the construction and renovation of 1,182 affordable housing units across the state.

The projects and their financing were approved by the boards of the New York State Housing Finance Agency (HFA) and the New York State Affordable Housing Corporation (AHC). With these actions, the agencies have now approved financing to create and preserve 4,739 units of affordable housing in New York State since January 1, 2007.    » read more »

November 1, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer today announced the annual launch of the home heating assistance program, which this year includes an increase in payments for low income New Yorkers and other key improvements to maximize the funds available.    » read more »

October 22, 2007 -- "I have serious concerns about the Bush Administration's appointment of Dr. Susan Orr to oversee family planning programs and Title X funding at the Department of Health and Human Services.

Her troubling history of opposing federal funding for these programs threatens the right of women and families to access these important resources. Family planning programs serve millions of low-income Americans annually and provide affordable and accessible reproductive health services.    » read more »

Cover All Pennsylvanians Health Care Reforms

Oct. 2, 2007 -- HARRISBURG – At a state Capitol rally attended by hundreds of concerned Pennsylvanians, Pennsylvania Governor Edward G. Rendell today urged the General Assembly to promptly act on the unfinished components of his innovative “Prescription for Pennsylvania” health care reform initiative, including his landmark Cover All Pennsylvanians insurance proposal.    » read more »

Governor Urges Consumers Facing Foreclosure To Take Action To Save Their Homes, Calls On Lenders To Help Preserve Homeownership

10/03/2007 -- With California disproportionately impacted by national fluctuations in the housing market, Governor Schwarzenegger announced today that he will sign three bills to increase protections for Californians who own or plan to purchase homes and to expand affordable housing opportunities.    » read more »

An estimated 35 to 46 million U.S. working people – from one-quarter to one-third of the nation’s workforce – work in low-wage jobs that offer little chance for wage growth or advancement. Low-income workers who are the primary breadwinners have little if any hope for meeting their families’ most basic needs.

Without the benefits and flexibility that higher-paid employees often take for granted, America’s low-wage workers and their families live on the edge where a problem such as the loss of a job or an illness can quickly become a crisis.    » read more »

Benefits Extended to 100,000 Low-Income Families; New York to Receive $200 Million in Federal Funds with No Cost to the State

September 27, 2007 -- New York Governor Eliot Spitzer announced today that the federal government has approved a critical component of his economic security agenda by expanding access to the Food Stamp Program to low-income, working families in New York.    » read more »

Connecticut Governor Rell: More Than $7 Million in New Federal Funds To Help Low-Income Homeowners and Renters Meet Home Energy Costs

September 27, 2007 -- Connecticut Governor M. Jodi Rell today announced that Connecticut has been awarded $7,182,018 in energy assistance by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help eligible low-income homeowners and renters meet home heating costs.    » read more »