House Republican Press Release

October 3, 2007

Press Office: 860-240-8700

REP. STRIPP: DEMOCRATS ON APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE REFUSE VOTE ON FUEL ASSISTANCE FOR LOW INCOME FAMILIES

“Majority Party Holds Fuel Assistance Hostage”

HARTFORD- State Representative John Stripp (R- Easton, Redding and Weston) announced the Appropriations Committee has postponed an anticipated vote September 26^th to allocate $40.9 million in federal heating assistance for low-income residents.

The legislature's Appropriations committee postponed voting on the plan Department of Social Services commissioner Michael Starkowski, developed in response to a whistle-blower's complaint that a New Haven nonprofit group was providing federally funded heating assistance to illegal immigrants.

Federal law bars illegal immigrants from receiving any federally funded benefits. The Commissioner’s plan keeps illegal immigrants from receiving federally funded heating assistance by requiring all applicants to produce a Social Security number.

“This program benefits thousands of homeowners and renters throughout the state and is designed to help offset the winter heating costs of eligible households. The majority party seems willing to delay this much needed fuel assistance to law-biding Connecticut residents,” said Rep. Stripp.   

The winter heating assistance pays for such heating sources as oil, natural gas, electricity, propane, kerosene, coal and wood.

“The health and welfare of eligible Connecticut residents should not be jeopardized and held captive because the majority party wishes to disregard federal law and continue to provide federal funds to illegal aliens. Funds that are in fact federal tax dollars,” said Rep. Stripp.

The committee has until Oct. 19 to vote on the fuel assistance grant.