Helping Keep Wisconsin Families Warm this Winter
February 22, 2006

As I travel around the state, I hear from many Wisconsin families who worry about whether they will be able to continue to live in the state the love. They worry about losing their job or losing their health insurance. They worry about being able to pay the bills and having enough money left over to tuck away in savings.

And all this winter, I’ve heard from families about how worried they are about staying warm.

This weekend, temperatures throughout Wisconsin dropped into the single digits and even below zero in some places. For many working and middle class Wisconsin families, it was a bitterly cold reminder that there’s a lot of winter left – a winter that has meant sky-high heating bills for too many.

That’s why, in my State of the State Address last month, I called for emergency legislation to help Wisconsin families who are struggling to pay their heating bills. My proposal would provide a modest sum - $6 million – to help 30,000 middle and working class Wisconsin families.

But earlier this month, the Republicans went on recess instead of taking up my heating assistance proposal. So I exercised my constitutional authority and called them back for a special session. We made some progress – the Republicans have agreed to introduce my bill. But that’s not enough.
It's time for them to take real action, and pass my common sense heating assistance package. Wisconsin families need help now – and Republicans in the Legislature should come into session and do the right thing.

It's time to make Wisconsin more affordable for working and middle class families. Making it a little easier to afford heat this winter is a good place to start.

Sincerely,
Governor Jim Doyle