| RESOLUTION AS INTRODUCED | 2007-2008 |
House resolution directing the committee on appropriations, as part of the FY 2008 budget adjustment bill, to reduce funding for the 2008 legislative session in the amount of $1,000,000.00, and to add $1,000,000.00 to the Low Income Heating Assistance Program
Offered by: Representatives Komline of Dorset, Adams of Hartland, Ainsworth of Royalton, Baker of West Rutland, Branagan of Georgia, Brennan of Colchester, Canfield of Fair Haven, Clark of St. Johnsbury, Clark of Vergennes, Clerkin of Hartford, Devereux of Mount Holly, Donaghy of Poultney, Errecart of Shelburne, Flory of Pittsford, Hube of Londonderry, Hudson of Lyndon, Johnson of Canaan, Kilmartin of Newport City, Koch of Barre Town, Krawczyk of Bennington, Larocque of Barnet, Larrabee of Danville, LaVoie of Swanton, Lawrence of Lyndon, Livingston of Manchester, Marcotte of Coventry, McAllister of Highgate, McDonald of Berlin, McFaun of Barre Town, McNeil of Rutland Town, Morrissey of Bennington, Myers of Essex, O'Donnell of Vernon, Oxholm of Vergennes, Peaslee of Guildhall, Scheuermann of Stowe, Shaw of Derby, Turner of Milton, Valliere of Barre City, Westman of Cambridge, Winters of Williamstown and Wright of Burlington
Whereas, the FY 2009 state budget is anticipated to be extremely tight, and essential state government services of extreme importance to many Vermonters are threatened with potential cutbacks in their appropriations, and
Whereas, the Low Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) provides essential financial assistance to many Vermonters who are experiencing a tremendous economic strain because of the skyrocketing increase in the cost of heating fuel this winter, and
Whereas, regardless of budgetary developments that may emerge later this session, LIHEAP is confronted with an immediate need for additional revenue as heating fuel assistance has already been cut, and
Whereas, this reduced allocation for heating assistance support has created a severe burden on many Vermonters, and
Whereas, the general assembly, if it performs its legislative duties in a timely and efficient manner, should be able to transact its business by April 12 without sacrificing careful review and deliberations on pending matters, and
Whereas, if the general assembly completed the 2008 legislative session on April 12, there would be a net savings of approximately $1,000,000.00 that could be reallocated to LIHEAP funding, now therefore be it
Resolved by the House of Representatives:
That the committee on appropriations is directed, as part of the FY 2008 budget adjustment bill, to reduce funding for the 2008 legislative session in the amount of $1,000,000.00, and to add $1,000,000.00 to the Low Income Heating Assistance Program in addition to the funds already appropriated to this program in Act 65 for fiscal year 2008.
____________________________ Attested to:
Gaye R. Symington
Speaker of the House
____________________________
Donald G. Milne
Clerk, House of Representatives