Senators McKinney,
Russo Call Upon Speaker Pelosi to Increase Heating Assistance
Call for additional federal funding
for LIHEAP comes as House Speaker comes to Connecticut
State Senators John McKinney, R-Fairfield,
and Robert D. Russo, R-Bridgeport, today
are calling upon House Speaker Nancy Pelosi
and Congress to immediately enact legislation that
would increase LIHEAP (Low Income Home Energy Assistance
Program) funding in Connecticut. At a press conference
today in Bridgeport the senators said that the rising
cost of energy is the number one issue facing residents
of Connecticut and with the winter months approaching,
they are extremely concerned that people will not
be able to afford to heat their homes.
“The time to act is now,” said
Sen. McKinney. “Lower income families
and people on fixed incomes are in need of assistance
and while there has been a lot of talk coming out of
Washington there’s been very little action. We
are looking at a potential crisis not only here in Connecticut
but throughout the nation, with Congress now back in
session it is imperative that legislation increasing
LIHEAP is adopted immediately.”
In a letter to Speaker Pelosi who is in Connecticut
today, the Senators said that “Congress has failed
to act on legislation that would provide a sizeable
increase in LIHEAP funding. It is critical to the citizens
of Connecticut that Congress act on bills currently
before them to ensure that our residents don’t
freeze during this time of soaring energy prices.”
Connecticut expects to receive $41 million in LIHEAP
funding. Legislative committees on Appropriations, Energy
and Technology, and Human Services have already determined
that this is not enough to pay for benefits already
guaranteed. The Senators said that even with an additional
$35 million coming from the state’s Energy Contingency
Account, another $36.3 million from the federal government
is still needed to fully fund energy assistance programs.
Without full funding Connecticut may be forced to close
the entire program or portions of the program early.
“Our most vulnerable citizens in urban areas
like Bridgeport are depending on Congress and the Administration
to move beyond partisanship and act on the very reasonable
legislative proposals before them,” said
Sen. Russo.
Last month, the Connecticut General Assembly authorized
a substantial funding increase to the Connecticut Energy
Assistance Program. The CEAP program provides low income
elderly and vulnerable households with protection during
the winter season. The Connecticut Legislature has committed
to spend $113.9 million on heating assistance.
“We will continue to work with Governor Rell
in supporting our congressional delegation's efforts
to increase energy assistance for Connecticut residents
through proposals like Congressman Shays' Warm Winter
and Cool Summer Act. Low- and middle-income families
in the Greater Bridgeport area cannot afford for Congressional
leaders to fail them,” said Sen. McKinney.
