Posted on 06/08/2007 1:00:58 PM PDT by JZelle
ANNAPOLIS -- Gov. Martin O'Malley said yesterday that the state will make available an additional $5 million to Marylanders struggling to pay their electric bills, after a 50 percent rate increase by Baltimore Gas and Electric Co.
Mr. O'Malley, a Democrat, said the money will enable 3,000 more families to receive assistance.
The state's energy-assistance program has been increased to $57 million for people who meet the income-eligibility requirement of 175 percent of the federal poverty line. Mr. O'Malley said that equates to roughly $40,000 in annual income for a family of four.
"There are very few issues that are more challenging to Maryland's future and all of us than the issue of energy costs, electric rates and the challenges that they pose for all of us," he said.
The announcement was made two days after the governor named Malcolm Woolf to lead the Maryland Energy Administration. Mr. Woolf has been asked to help develop policies that will "empower consumers to have a greater control of their own destiny in this world of rising energy costs," Mr. O'Malley said.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtontimes.com ...
The taxpayers wouldnt have had to of been hit if O’Malley and the rest of the democrats had acted when the BG&E asked for the raise instead of waiting until after the election.
My Dad tells me all about this every time he comes to visit me. Now in addition to paying the higher power rates, his taxes will go up as well. I keep trying to get him to move to Texas.
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