Senate Leadership
August 19, 2008
Sweeping Energy Assistance Plan to Be Finalized, With Friday Vote Expected
Senate Democrats committed to helping low and middle-income families
Senate President Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) says new economic indicators showing a toughening economy for Connecticut families should be a wake-up call for those who oppose dedicating the state’s surplus for FY 2007-08 to energy assistance for low and middle-income families.
“This Friday we will convene a special session to address the looming home heating crisis,” said Senator Williams. “The State of Connecticut may have finished the last fiscal year with a surplus, but our families did not. It is crucial that we get these funds back to families — many of them struggling to make ends meet — so that they can keep the heat on this winter.”
Senate Democrats are working on the details of an energy assistance plan that will include — but is not limited to — the following:
- Increased cash assistance for low-income families
- Increased cash assistance for middle-income families
- Increased cash assistance for seniors
- Expansion of furnace replacement and improvement program — capable of saving families as much as 40 percent off this winter’s heating bill
- Supplemental payments to municipalities, schools, and non-profits to cover heating costs and help stabilize local property taxes
“Right now we’re looking at how to leverage the surplus to have the biggest impact on families’ budgets,” said Senator Williams. “We know that because of skyrocketing energy costs, we must essentially double the amount of state aide from last winter just to maintain the same benefits for Connecticut’s most vulnerable families. In addition, we want to expand help for middle-class families. We are now working with Gov. Rell’s office and our colleagues in the House to hammer out the details.”
The state Department of Labor is reporting that Connecticut’s unemployment rate is on the rise: one point higher than a year ago, and now above the national average of 5.7 percent. At the same time, the national Labor Department is reporting that inflation is rising at twice the rate that it had originally predicted for the month of July.
The Energy Information Administration (EIA) is estimating that homeowners in the northeast will spend an average of $2,725 on heating oil this winter. The cost of natural gas and electricity is also more expensive that one year ago.
Senator Williams is heartened by new Republican proposals for increased assistance to Operation Fuel, something Senate Democrats first called for in January, and then again last week after the latest budget surplus was announced.
“I am encouraged that momentum is building in all caucuses for an energy assistance bill,” said Senator Williams. “Just last week, some Republican lawmakers questioned the need for a comprehensive energy assistance program, instead wanting to divert assistance money into the Rainy Day Fund. It appears Republicans are beginning to acknowledge that for most Connecticut families, it is in fact raining.”
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Senator Williams’ Derek Slap |
Listing of Leadership’s recent press releases. |
Senator Looney’s Derek Slap |
