Low Income Heating Assistance
The frigid cold is here and COVID-19/the Governor's Shutdown has hurt so many families not only physically but financially. During this difficult time, I want to remind people with limited funds that they don’t have to choose between paying the heating bill or buying groceries.
The Low Income Energy Assistance Program serves both renters and homeowners, providing financial assistance to pay past due energy bills to avoid disconnection, to purchase emergency fuel, or to repair or replace a homeowner’s malfunctioning furnace.
Eligibility is based on the household’s past 3 months of income and assets are not counted. Benefit amounts are based on the household’s heating costs, household size, and income, with an average benefit of roughly $500.
The application period is open until May 31. To determine eligibility or to learn more about the Low Income Energy Assistance Program, visit: mn.gov/commerce/eap.jsp.
Mask Mandate Legislation
This week I've gotten quite a few emails from constituents on HF 604, a bill to put the mask mandate into law. I believe putting this mandate in law is unwise. HF 604 includes harsh penalties for non-compliance, including massive fines. It also requires small businesses, which are already struggling, to police the mandate.
This bill codifies the one-size-fits-all approach that we have seen since the beginning, and puts the federal government in charge of when the mandate would end - not state legislators. These decisions should be made at the local level, by the people who live and work in our community, instead of politicians in Washington, D.C.
The Republican Senate has already declared they will not take action on this legislation so it is dead-on-arrival. This will not become law.
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