By Pat Bradley
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/wamc/local-wamc-987895.mp3
Plattsburgh, NY – Last February, President Obama proposed cutting the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program for the fiscal year 2012 beginning October first from 5.1 billion to 2.57 billion nationally, bringing it to 2008 level funding. A number of groups and Governors oppose the cuts. National Fuel Funds Network Executive Director George Coling.
Since the budget was proposed, a number of different funding levels have been considered for the program. The Senate passed legislation last night to fund the government thru November 18th at last years levels - and that would mean LIHEAP funding would be 4.7 billion dollars. But all appropriations bills within the continuing resolutions must be reviewed and LIHEAP could face deeper cuts. New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance Director of the Office of Public Information Marc Kaplan says New York is prepared to deal with whatever funding is received from Washington.
AARP Vermont Spokesman David Reville says the Senate Appropriations proposal currently on the table would cut funding to LIHEAP 25-percent from 4.7 billion to 3.6 billion.
Again, Marc Kaplan.
Early this month Governors from across the U.S., including VT, RI, NH, CT and MA wrote to the leaders of House and Senate Appropriations Committees urging they fund LIHEAP at 5.1 billion dollars.