Lawmakers announce public hearing to discuss emergency heating assistance
STATEWIDE — Governor Mills’ initial heating and housing plan was blocked earlier this month by a handful of senate republicans. Now like minded democrats and republicans have announced temporary appointments to the legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee.
That committee is preparing for the first public hearing for revisions to the Winter Emergency Energy Relief Package.
That hearing is scheduled for Wednesday.
“I’m always supportive of the public hearing process. The fact that I don’t think anyone doesn’t understand that we’re in a real heating crisis here across the state,” said Senate President Troy Jackson.
The energy package will consist of $398 million to finance one time $450 energy relief payments to households that meet income requirements similar to those for the $850 relief checks.
Jackson said the senate previously rejected the energy relief package due to lack of public comment on the proposal.
“After we have this public hearing process Wednesday I’m hopeful that we do come together and actually do something meaningful for the people across the state,” said Jackson.
During the week of December 12 around 13,000 households received one time payments of $500 for older Mainers over the age of 65 meeting specific income requirements of $18,000 for individuals and $20,000 for families.
“We know that if people can’t stay warm, especially if they’re older or young children, they’re more likely to get sick. They end up getting preventable illnesses that could lead them to have high doctor costs or for older people even to be hospitalized or enter a nursing home,” according to commissioner Jeanne Lambrew, for the Maine Department of Health and Human Services.
The Maine DHHS is working to complement the governor’s initiative to bring financial relief for heating costs as prices hit record highs.
“To make sure that we are both providing relief to a broad sense of Maine residents as in the governor’s plan. While providing this immediate one-time assistance on a short term basis to our older residents,” said Lambrew.
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