Legislators agree: You shouldn't freeze

HARTFORD — A marathon special session of the state Legislature concluded shortly after midnight Saturday, Aug. 23, with lawmakers passing an energy aid package to help residents, schools and nonprofit organizations.

State Sen. Andrew Roraback (R-30) said Monday he is happy with the results of the 14-hour session, which came as a result of Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s announcement last week that the state will finish fiscal year 2008 with a $75 million budget surplus. Rell asked for a special session to use the money for energy assistance programs.

"I enthusiastically supported the energy package," Roraback said. "I think there are two core functions of government. One is to make sure nobody starves to death and another is to make sure nobody freezes to death. These are two areas in which there is very little debate. These are basic things that lie at the heart of our responsibilities in government."

The energy package was broken into two separate bills, which were passed overwhelmingly by both the House and Senate. The governor is expected to sign both bills into law next week.

Included in the energy aid package is $6.5 million to local and regional school districts for heating assistance. Another $4 million is provided for emergency home heating assistance for people ages 65 and older with incomes less than the state’s median income.

Lawmakers also appropriated $3.5 million for home heating assistance grants to local nonprofit organizations including adult day cares, homeless shelters and domestic violence shelters.

For those not covered by state programs due to income limits, the energy package provides $14 million to Operation Fuel, a nonprofit organization that provides assistance to families earning as much as the state median income. A family of four earning as much as $93,821 per year may qualify for 100 gallons of free heating oil this winter.

"The other good thing we did Friday was to provide rebates of up to $500 for people who convert to more energy-efficient furnaces," Roraback noted. "We also provided low-interest loans on top of those rebates as an incentive for that kind of conversion. A lot of energy is wasted because people are relying on antiquated equipment."

Roraback said another $7 million was appropriated for a new program to pay for free energy audits for customers who want to make their homes more efficient.

In all, the legislation allocates approximately $40 million for specific energy assistance programs and leaves $35 million in a contingency fund for future energy needs. Roraback said his only disappointment during the session came when he was unable to attach an amendment that would have allowed Connecticut’s Meals on Wheels program to apply for some of that money.

"The gas prices they’ve been paying, like everyone else’s, are way beyond what was budgeted," the senator said. "Every dollar they have to pay for gas is one that’s not available to give a homebound person a nutritious meal. What my amendment would have done is allow Meals on Wheels to make a case for why they should share in that $35 million. They would have been eligible to compete for those dollars."

In a statement last week calling for Friday’s special session, Gov. Rell said Connecticut residents are facing an immediate need for energy relief. "All of our surrounding states and more than a quarter of the states across the country are dealing with deficits — many of them running into the hundreds of millions of dollars and even into the billions of dollars," she said. "We must do everything in our power to keep our state well-positioned to succeed when the inevitable uptick begins, and that includes taking action now to prevent families from sliding off an economic precipice by being overwhelmed by everyday expenses."

Having participated in 14 hours of deliberations, Roraback said last Friday’s session "wasn’t exactly quick" but that it accomplished its major goal, which was to keep families warm this winter.

"I think that August is the right time to be putting in place the safety net to make sure no one freezes during the winter," he said. "All we can do is hope for the best as far as energy prices go but we need to be prepared for the worst."

For information about energy assistance, Connecticut residents can visit the Department of Social Services at www.ct.gov/staywarm or call 800-842-1132.