Government and Politics
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Program sends heating assistance to Southern states
Sherrod Brown says proposed LIHEAP formula favors Southern states, even though Northern states need heating dollars this winter
by WKSU's ANNA STAVER |
Reporter
Anna Staver | | |
Ohio Sen. Sherrod Brown is joining with senators from several Northern states to oppose reductions to their share of federal dollars that help pay heating bills for the poor and elderly.
The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program gives out money to states each year using a formula that looks at energy costs and weather. The money helps people pay for air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter.
Brown, a Democrat, is pushing the Senate’s bill, which keeps that formula the same. Brown says the House changes the formula to favor Southern states like Texas and Alabama, over northern states like Ohio. |
Red states cool, blue states hotOther options:  MP3 Download (0:19)
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If the House bill becomes law, Ohio will lose 15 million dollars in federal assistance for heating bills. Brown says he and his fellow northern senators hope to be able to restore the old formula before the first snowfall.
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