12/21/2022
Senate Republicans rejected on the opening day of the legislatives session Gov. Janet Mills’ proposal calling for $450 relief payments to 880,000 Mainers, along with additional funding to supplement a federal heating assistance program, and for emergency heating and housing assistance.
Senate President Troy Jackson and House Speaker Rachel Talbot Ross, both Democrats, assembled a temporary appropriations committee to meet a demand by Senate Republicans for a public hearing.
The panel was to consider several amendments including one by Sens. Rick Bennett, R-Oxford, and Nicole Grohoski, D-Ellsworth, that would reduce the size and number of relief checks. Sen. Eric Brakey, R-Auburn, was sponsoring a separate proposal to let Mainers set aside money tax-free for heating bills.
Jackson and Ross were serving as temporary committee leaders. If the panel reaches an agreement, the full Legislature will vote on the heating aid package on Jan. 4, clearing the way for checks to go into the mail.
Gail Witherill, of Cumberland, said that families are having to make “tough choices between heating, food and rental costs.”
“The funds are imperative to keep people safe this winter,” she said.
Source (Ap)
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