Energy Assistance Plan to Get Vote Friday
Democrats expect to be able to vote on an energy plan during Friday’s special session. A press release was sent out by the Senate Democrats today detailing some of what’s under discussion:
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% off this winter’s heating bill
- Supplemental payments to municipalities, schools, and non-profits to cover heating costs and help stabilize local property taxes
Republicans Propose Additional Ideas
Republicans are proposing items of their own in addition to the plans under discussion now.
Under the proposal Republicans would:• Allow a family of four earning up $94,000 a year to qualify for Operation Fuel assistance;
• Increase tax exemptions for small businesses for the first $500 on electric bills;
• Increase by $5 million the Conservation Load Management Account that rewards conservation efforts;
• Provide $3 million to help struggling families pay their electric bills;
• Cap the gross receipts gasoline tax to hedge against future spikes at the gas pump;
• Fill the Special Transportation Fund deficit of $28 million by using the current Transportation Fund Balance and direct nearly $100 million of the fund to projects that have stalled due to rising construction costs.Cafero said the proposals are apart from those expected to be offered by Gov. Rell and other lawmakers during the special session that he expects will draw broad bipartisan support.
We’ll see if Democrats go for any of the GOP ideas. I especially like the focus on transportation costs–that’s been a big area of concern lately.
Certainly we should get something useful out of Friday’s session.