Obama Budget Proposal To Cut Energy Assistance For The Poor

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And now for another dose of hope and change from our closet-Republican President!

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, would see funding drop by about $2.5 billion from an authorized 2009 total of $5.1 billion. The proposed cut will not touch the program’s emergency reserve fund, about $590 million, which can be used during particularly harsh cold snaps or extended heat spells, three officials told National Journal.

In 2010, Obama signed into law an omnibus budget resolution that released a total of about $5 billion in LIHEAP grants for 2011. Pointing to the increasing number of Americans who made use of the grants last year, advocates say that LIHEAP is already underfunded. The American Gas Association predicts that 3 million Americans eligible for the program won’t be able to receive it unless LIHEAP funding stays at its current level.

 

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    • Xanthe on February 10, 2011 at 23:25

    with the temperature about 9 and to go below zero tonight – this subject is worthy of two diaries — heck, we’re living it here.

    Compound F also has a good diary up.  

    On the backs of the poor, old, young, sick – that’s the ticket Mr. Obama –

    Austerity – it’s right up there with competition and creative in this administration’s lexicon.  

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