Murphy Releases Report, Unveils Bill to Fully Fund Federal Home Heating Assistance
The Guaranteed Energy Assistance Act of 2011 will ensure LIHEAP funds are available when Connecticut families need them most
NEW BRITAIN, CT – December 6, 2011 – (RealEstateRama) — Today, Congressman Chris Murphy released the results of a survey of home energy assistance applicants in Connecticut and unveiled new legislation to fully fund the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps over 110,000 Connecticut families stretch their budgets during the cold winter months. Congress is currently considering legislation that would slash federal low-income home energy assistance grants. Rep. Murphy launched the LIHEAP survey on October 4th at the State Capitol in Hartford.
Murphy also hosted a roundtable discussion with LIHEAP applicants from around the Fifth District on Saturday to share real stories of how this critical assistance helps them and their families.
“In home after home in towns across Connecticut, people are having a tough time making ends meet, particularly when the temperature drops and budgets are stretched thin,” said Murphy. “This survey helps show the hard reality of what gutting LIHEAP would mean for Connecticut families, but behind the data are real people who rely on this critical assistance to keep their families warm through long New England winters. These are their stories.”
Click HERE for the results of the LIHEAP survey.
Murphy also announced the Guaranteed Energy Assistance Act of 2011, new legislation that would create a federal “LIHEAP Trust Fund” to fully fund the program and ensure that its funds could not be raided to support other activities.
“Cutting away the basic elements of our social safety net like LIHEAP does little to reduce the budget deficit, but it does immeasurable harm to working families across our state,” Murphy added. “In the middle of a recession when job and wage growth remain slow, the need for energy assistance programs is only expected to grow this season. Rather than leave the program at the mercy of year-to-year funding battles, this bill will provide a dedicated revenue stream to ensure that LIHEAP remains fully-funded for Connecticut families.”
