Special legislation will deal with heating costs

Gov. John Lynch joined by lawmakers at a press conference: Photo Credit: PolitickerNH.com

CONCORD--The rising costs of home heating oil has forced Gov. John Lynch (D-Hopkinton) and legislative leaders to call for special legislation to help residents deal with historic increases in energy prices.

Surrounded by a bi-partisan group of legislators, Lynch announced that the proposed legislation would allow the state to advance $10 million from state coffers to programs that offer help to low-income residents. The money would allow the state to continue serving the 35,000 families that rely on heating assistance from the state. If Congress raises the amount it gives to New Hampshire for home heating assistance, from the current $27.5 million, the state would use the extra money to pay off the $10 million advance.

Lynch said the money will come from unappropriated funds and will not affect the state budget.

"We do not need to cut dollars from the state budget to fund this," Lynch said.

State Sen. Ted Gatsas (R-Manchester) said he would also like the state to consider expanding the assistance level to include families that make $55,000 a year and might not qualify for assistance but needs help paying their heating bills.

"It's a great start here and we need to continue to move forward to find help for additional families that need help," Gatsas said.

Lynch said over the next couple of weeks lawmakers will examine ways to expand help to more families.

The legislation will be a part of veto day on September 24th and will require a two-thirds vote for the legislature to consider the bill.

In addition to the legislation, lawmakers will hold an information session on September 23rd and has established a website to help residents learn more about the program.