TAKE ACTION: PROTECTING OUR ENERGY EFFICIENCY AND SUPPORT PROGRAMS FOR POOR VERMONTERS!

Written by: Matt Dunne on Apr 19, 2006 5:44 PM EDT

For those of you who want to work together to reduce poverty, there is a move afoot in the Vermont legislature that requires your attention and action.

We have an opportunity and a challenge in transportation funding for Vermont. Sen. Jeffords secured $1 billion in federal transportation money in the last reauthorization bill. Our roads, bridges, and rail infrastructure certainly need the help. Our challenge is that the state budget now being debated by the Legislature in Montpelier needs to match the money to use it, and if we don't use it, we lose it.

The Governor originally suggested taking the money out of the Education Trust Fund. That notion was overwhelmingly denounced at town meetings across the state. The House bravely passed a gas tax increase last month. Though many were concerned that the increase was regressive for lower income working people who travel great distances to work, it was deemed better than raising property taxes. The Governor, however, attacked the House in press conferences and through the Republican Party, which paid for "Robo Calls" last week attacking House members who voted for the increase.
www.rutlandherald.com/apps/pbcs....

The Senate, grappling with the same issues, requested from the Governor a new solution, since raiding the education fund is off the table. Believe it or not, this is what the Governor proposed: to take money out of the "Reach Up" program, and also cut the Weatherization Fund, money used to insulate homes of low income people so more of their money doesn't go into utility costs.

The Transportation Bill in the Senate raised fees in a variety of areas to make up the gap, but still left a hole to fill. At the last minute, I offered an amendment based on the concept developed by Rep. Robert Dostis and others in the House to have a surcharge on new pleasure cars that get less than 20 mpg (pickups excluded). This proposal was too late to be debated by the whole Senate. The "gas guzzler" tax idea is still alive as we come into the final weeks of the session with negotiations between the House, Senate, and Governor. See:
www.burlingtonfreepress.com/apps...

Most important, however, is that the Governor needs to hear from folks in the grassroots that we don't want Weatherization money going to fill this match. It is true that the price of fuel has increased the amount of money in the Fund, since the money comes from a percentage of total heating fuel sales. Imagine what we could do with an additional $3 million dollars in weatherizing resources to permanently reduce fuel costs for low-income Vermonters, reduce our dependency on foreign oil, and lower greenhouse gas emissions that are causing global warming. Nor have I heard a diminished need for "Reach Up" services.

Vermonters have the chance to take a leadership role in both helping low-income neighbors reduce their energy costs and help lessen Vermont's use of foreign oil and global warming-causing fuel sources.

The Governor ( and the Senate) needs to hear from you this week. You can reach the Governor's office by calling 800 649-6825 or you can send him an email from the state's website
www.vermont.gov/governor/contact...

Thank you for you commitment to ending poverty in our state. Please get on the phone/email and make yourself heard in Montpelier!

Sincerely,

Sen. Matt Dunne

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Location: VT