Posted on 02/14/2011 5:50:29 AM PST by Skeez
Edited on 02/14/2011 6:16:44 AM PST by Sidebar Moderator. [history]
NEW YORK (CNNMoney) -- President Obama's 2012 budget will propose cutting $2.5 billion from a program that helps low-income people cope with high energy costs in the cold of winter and heat of summer, according to a source familiar with the budget process.
The reduction is steep, and might impact millions of families. In 2010, the program received $5.1 billion in federal funds, which were then distributed to states that have both low average incomes and high energy costs.
The administration is quick to point out that the reduction will bring the funding down to $2.57 billion, which is exactly the same as the fiscal year 2008 level.
Before becoming law, the proposal will have to survive a marathon budget process, but Republicans are also calling for cuts to the program, a fact that increases the likelihood of passage.
Spending crunch ahead It's hard to say exactly how many people would be affected by the reduction in funding.
Before the White House plans, first reported by National Journal, leaked to the press, a coalition of Democrats on Capitol Hill led by Rep. Ed Markey of Massachusetts defended the program.
The program currently only serves one of every five eligible people, and a reduction would have dire consequences for those already receiving benefits, Markey said.
"Returning to 2008 funding levels ... would mean forcing 3.1 million families nationwide to return to deciding between heating and eating," Markey said.
Bush’s fault (just trying to stay ahead of the media on this one).
That’s pretty cool.
If he’d quit trying to stop global warming, they wouldn’t need heat subsidies.
Global warming paradox.
Anyone want to lay odds on the “demographics” of those being cut?
What an evil heartless Repub.... I mean... uh... Nothing to see here.
You can lower the heat to 55 without risking having the pipes freeze.
They will blame the Republicans for it..............
Never mind that spring is about 30 days away.
Here we go. When are the Republicans going to have some cahones and say, "This is not a proper function of the Federal government. Let the states do that."
If the Republicans don't defend their actions, the media will destroy any political capital they have. The mainstream media is still incredibly powerful, as evidenced by their successful destruction of Gov. Palin.
Joe Kennedy is still pimping for Chavez and Citgo. Markey needs to take it up with him.
IMHO, this is a red herring. Just like the 1099 stuff that was stuck in obamacare. It’s there for one reason only. To get bargained away later so nobama can look like a “champion of the downtrodden.” What a buncha BS!
The next act will be rolling out Big Bird with the Speaker pointing a shotgun at his head.
Exactly, and imagine how much money is lost by the time federal salaries are paid and it’s laundered through the various bureaucracies to administer the program. Cut the program, return the money to the states and let them handle their own business.
Is this supposed to be a bad thing? There are plenty of rich liberals who could subsidize heat costs for the poor. The money doesn’t need to come from taxes.
And here you have the point of this dodge.
(Obama voice and annoying cadence here)
Let me be clear. Do you see how foolish the Republican plan to reduce spending to 2008 levels is. Such draconian cuts would do irreparable harm to the least among us...blah...blah...blah...
I don’t know of ONE liberal that would personally, individually, voluntarily,
pay for the needs of someone else.
The problem at the federal level is that they don't do much to benefit people directly other than SSI and medicaid. Federal programs are more about the federal beauracracy, contractors, and federal payrolls than direct benefit. So what you will see mostly are those programs which they grant money to, like head start, heating assistance, and tubes of caulk for $100 a tube.
It's not like they will refuse to enforce immigration, election laws, or investigate ialamic terrorism threats.
“Anyone want to lay odds on the “demographics” of those being cut?”
A friend of mine has numerous nice but bottom end rental units. The ones being subsidized have their heat or air-conditioning running even when they’re not there. Why not arrive to a comfortable home even if 2/3 of your budget was spent when you weren’t even there to enjoy it? My friend, the owner, only turns her hot water before she takes a shower. But her renters are comfortable all the time thanks to us taxpayers.
It sounds cruel, but end all subsidies. Subsidies subsidize bad behavior.
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