Magna Carta News
Saturday, October 15, 2005
Helping Oklahoma's retired and poor familes
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Damon Gardenhire, press secretary
Speaker Todd Hiett
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Capitol: (405) 962.7679
gardenhire@okhouse.gov
House Task Force to Examine LIHEAP
OKLAHOMA CITY (October 14) - House Speaker Todd Hiett said Friday he is appointing a special task force to ensure Oklahoma's poor aren't left out in the cold this winter.
The task force, led by House Appropriation and Budget Chairman Chris Benge (R-Tulsa), will examine funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which assists poor families with heating bills.
"With heating prices predicted to soar this winter, we need to make sure that any aid maximizes the benefit to working families," said Hiett, R-Kellyville. "We'll examine the probable level of federal funding in order to understand the situation we face."
Hiett said the task force's work will go hand-in-hand with an interim study requested by State Rep. Ron Peters, R-Tulsa, which will consider a new, permanent funding mechanism for LIHEAP. Peters has suggested the state should dedicate a portion of increased natural gross
production taxes to LIHEAP, which would ensure working Oklahomans are protected against sudden price increases.
According to some forecasts, heating bills could increase by 50 percent this winter compared to last year's prices.
"As every wildcatter in Oklahoma knows, energy price forecasts are notoriously unreliable," Hiett said. "And every farmer knows that long-range weather forecasts are just as bad. There are indications we could see high fuel prices this winter if we have a serious cold snap.
This task force will prepare a sensible plan based on the facts and ensure Oklahoma's neediest citizens stay warm this winter and that the taxpayers' hard-earned money is used wisely."
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Damon Gardenhire, press secretary
Speaker Todd Hiett
Oklahoma House of Representatives
Capitol: (405) 962.7679
gardenhire@okhouse.gov
House Task Force to Examine LIHEAP
OKLAHOMA CITY (October 14) - House Speaker Todd Hiett said Friday he is appointing a special task force to ensure Oklahoma's poor aren't left out in the cold this winter.
The task force, led by House Appropriation and Budget Chairman Chris Benge (R-Tulsa), will examine funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which assists poor families with heating bills.
"With heating prices predicted to soar this winter, we need to make sure that any aid maximizes the benefit to working families," said Hiett, R-Kellyville. "We'll examine the probable level of federal funding in order to understand the situation we face."
Hiett said the task force's work will go hand-in-hand with an interim study requested by State Rep. Ron Peters, R-Tulsa, which will consider a new, permanent funding mechanism for LIHEAP. Peters has suggested the state should dedicate a portion of increased natural gross
production taxes to LIHEAP, which would ensure working Oklahomans are protected against sudden price increases.
According to some forecasts, heating bills could increase by 50 percent this winter compared to last year's prices.
"As every wildcatter in Oklahoma knows, energy price forecasts are notoriously unreliable," Hiett said. "And every farmer knows that long-range weather forecasts are just as bad. There are indications we could see high fuel prices this winter if we have a serious cold snap.
This task force will prepare a sensible plan based on the facts and ensure Oklahoma's neediest citizens stay warm this winter and that the taxpayers' hard-earned money is used wisely."
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