The vote came after an hours-long public hearing where advocates and lawmakers urged passage of the original $473 million bill to provide emergency heating and energy relief, and rental assistance.
|Randy Billings, Portland Press Herald|
AUGUSTA — A special budget committee of state lawmakers voted unanimously Wednesday night to recommend passage of a $473 million emergency heating and energy relief bill that would include $450 checks to most taxpayers.
The proposal also would provide tens of millions of dollars in heating aid for low- and middle-income households and millions more for emergency housing and shelter. This winter’s heating and energy prices – as well as inflation generally – are expected to stretch or exceed household budgets and deplete existing home heating assistance programs.
The recommendation by the temporary budget-writing committee composed of eight Democrats and five Republicans came after a more than five-hour public hearing and a 90-minute caucus by each party, breaking an impasse that emerged earlier this month. The full Legislature is expected to take up the proposal on Jan. 4. Read more
… Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, has proposed allowing residents to create a Maine Heating Account at local banks and credit unions for tax-free contributions and earnings for the purpose of paying for residential heating, electricity and weatherization.
Brakey said in a statement that the account would be similar to health and flex savings accounts. He acknowledged, however, that federal legislation would be needed for the heating savings accounts to qualify for prepayroll deductions.
