Federal Funds for programs that assist our most vulnerable members of society that can't be privatized are being cut from the budget. Gov. Corbett destroyed the accountability grant here in Pennsylvania with his privatization of our public schools and resources. Now President Donald Trump is aiming for the same cuts to the federal accountability grant aka block grants.
Local energy companies and concerned citizens took the podium with opposition to the attacks on our most vulnerable communities. We were able to see the faces of LIHEAP during the Philadelphia hearing at our Free Library. Those faces are all responsible members of our society with different circumstances that leads them to the same need for assistance when paying energy bills.
Proposed State Plan:
BUDGET The Continuing Appropriations and Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2017 (PL 114-223) funded LIHEAP at approximately $3.43 billion for FY 2017. President Trump’s preliminary FY 2018 budget request was released on March 16, 2017. The budget proposes to eliminate funding for LIHEAP. While the initial budget proposal eliminates funding for LIHEAP, it is likely that the program will continue in FY 2018 considering the popularity of the program and the number of low-income households it assists. Due to the threat of defunding, DHS will be estimating a budget of $153.75 million, representing a 25 percent reduction of Pennsylvania’s FY 2017 allocation. DHS anticipates carrying forward a balance of $5 million for FY 2017. There is uncertainty at this time regarding the availability of any leveraging funding. This results in a total budget of approximately $158 million. 15 percent of the block grant will be allocated to DCED for the Weatherization Assistance Program and up to 10 percent of the block grant will be allocated for administrative costs, leaving an adjusted minimum total of $120.3 million available for LIHEAP benefits. http://www.dhs.pa.gov/cs/groups/webcontent/documents/document/c_261235.pdf
Philadelphia LIHEAP Hearing July 5, 2017
#WeWillNotGoBack
Federal Register Notice soliciting public comments regarding the Reallotment of Fiscal Year 2016 Funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) to states, territories, tribes and tribal organizations that received FY 2017 direct LIHEAP grants. The deadline for public comments is Wednesday, July 19, 2017. You can see the notice at: https://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2017-06-19/pdf/2017-12675.pdf
Please contact your Senators:
Bob Casey Jr. 202.224.6324 www.casey.senate.gov/contact
Pat Toomey 202.224.4254. www.toomey.senate.gov/contact/
Representatives at www.house.gov/representatives
Scott Perry 202.225.5836
Robert Brady 202.225.4731
Dwight Evans 202.225.4001
Glenn Thompson 202.225.5121
Ryan Costello 202.225.5121
Pat Meehan 202.225.2011
Brian Fitzpatrick 202.225.4276
Bill Shuster 202.225.2431
Mike Kelly 202.225.5406
Tom Marino 202.225.3731
Lou Barletta 202.225.6511
Keith Rothfus 202.225.2065
Brendan Boyle 202.225.6111
Mike Doyle 202.225.2135
Charles Dent 202.225.6411
Lloyd Smucker 202.225.2411
Matthew Cartwright 202.225.5546
Tim Murphy 202.225.2301
- YOUR INPUT IS WELCOME -
LOW-INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULE
All interested individuals are invited to testify about the proposed LIHEAP State Plan for 2017-2018.The proposed LIHEAP State Plan may be viewed here. http://www.dhs.pa.gov/cs/groups/webcontent/documents/document/c_261235.pdf
JULY 5, 2017
10 A.M. - 12 NOON
PARKWAY CENTRAL LIBRARY
ROOMS 405 & 406, 4TH FLOOR
1901 VINE STREET
PHILADELPHIA, PA
JULY 11, 2017
10 A.M. - 12 NOON
HEALTH & WELFARE BUILDING
ROOM 316, 3RD FLOOR
625 FORSTER STREET
HARRISBURG, PA
JULY 13, 2017
10 A.M. - 12 NOON
ALLEGHENY COUNTY COURTHOUSE
GOLD ROOM, 4TH FLOOR
436 GRANT STREET
PITTSBURGH, PA
PLEASE REGISTER TO TESTIFY BEFORE THE SCHEDULED HEARINGS.
TO REGISTER, CALL: 1-717-772-7906 OR TOLL FREE 1-866-857-7095
TELECOMMUNICATION DEVICE FOR THE HEARING IMPAIRED ONLY: 711
Anyone unable to attend Pennsylvania's hearings may send written testimony by July 14, 2017 to:
Brian Whorl, Director
Division of Federal Programs and Program Management
Room 224, Willow Oak Building, P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17110
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