Thursday, February 1, 2007
Contact: Jessica Robinson, 573-751-0290
Blunt Applauds House Passage of Energy Assistance for Missourians; Urges Quick Senate Approval
JEFFERSON CITY–Gov. Matt Blunt today applauded the Missouri House of Representatives for supporting his call to fully fund the program that helps low-income Missourians pay for their home heating costs. Early last month, Blunt, together with House and Senate leaders, announced their plan to fully fund Utilicare, the state’s program to help vulnerable Missourians with their winter utility costs.
“I am pleased the House has responded quickly because no Missourian should have to make the difficult decision between heating their home and the necessities of life,” Blunt said. “Before I was elected governor, Utilicare had not been funded since 2001. We changed that when my administration was the first to fully fund Utilicare. I urge the Senate to quickly approve this important legislation so we can begin providing much-needed assistance to vulnerable Missourians.”
The governor recommended and the House overwhelmingly passed a $6.3 million supplemental appropriation bill for Utilicare, House Bill 15, to ensure funding would be available this year to help Missourians with their winter heating bills.
Last year Blunt, President Pro Tem Michael R. Gibbons and House Speaker Rod Jetton secured a $6.1 million emergency supplemental, fully funding Utilicare and providing support to over 12,000 low-income households.
Missouri’s Utilicare program was created in 1979 to help Missourians with winter heating costs but had not received any funding since 2001. Blunt changed that when Utilicare was fully funded last year. House Bill 15 would again fully fund this energy assistance program for those who need it the most for the second year in a row.
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