Category: Tia Albright
$6 Million Given to Connecticut for Energy Costs
ASSISTANCE
The New Britain Herald
Tia Albright
Boston University Washington News Service
September 13, 2006
WASHINGTON – Connecticut received an early release of $6 million in federal funds to alleviate the rising cost of heating oil and to keep the state’s low-income residents warm through the upcoming winter.
The release of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program contingency funds was announced Tuesday by Reps. Nancy Johnson, Christopher Shays and Rob Simmons. The money was released early to provide the state ample time to purchase heating oil at a lower price before the prices rise as the winter season comes closer, according to a press release issued by the Connecticut Republican representatives.
In 2005, the energy assistance program benefited more than 76,000 families in Connecticut, and that number is expected to rise in the 2006 winter season, according to Gov. M. Jodi Rell’s office.
The Human Resources Agency of New Britain alone is expecting more than 4,000 low-income families, people with disabilities and seniors to apply for assistance from state agencies, according to Barbara Parsons, the agency’s director of community services.
In 2004, 3,500 families applied for heating assistance in the New Britain area, and that number increased to almost 3,900 in 2005, she said.
“We’ve been noticing with the cost of oil and heat rising, that people across the city, not only low-income people, are having problems with their bills,” Parsons said.
Heating bills in 2005 increased as much as 50 percent in some New England households.
“When the winter gets here the prices go up, and it really taps into people’s budgets, especially elderly and low-income residents,” Parsons said. “We saw the prices double last year and expect that again.”
In preparation for the coming winter, Gov. Rell approved an early application initiative to allow applicants more time to file paperwork. Applications are already being accepted, whereas last year they were not accepted until October.
“No family should be forced to choose between heating their home and putting food on the table,” Rep. Johnson said. “These funds will help alleviate the tremendous strain that skyrocketing energy costs place on families living on fixed incomes.”
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Commission on Art Unveils Connecticut Compromise
DODD
The New Britain Herald
Tia Albright
Boston University Washington News Service
September 12, 2006
WASHINGTON – A new mural debuted Tuesday in the U.S. Capitol honoring the two constitutional convention delegates from Connecticut who came up with the compromise credited with saving the Constitution.
“Without the compromise, the constitution may never have emerged,” said Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist, R-Tenn. “As we unveil this masterpiece we celebrate the masterpiece that stands at the center of our nation – the Constitution.”
Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., the author of the resolution that created the mural honoring Connecticut delegates Roger Sherman and Oliver Ellsworth, said it was an overdue honor for “a missing piece of the story of our nation.”
Sherman and Ellsworth attended the 1787 Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia. The delegates decided on terms for Senate and House members, but there was still disagreement over the amount of representation each state deserved.
With the Connecticut Compromise, Sherman and Ellsworth proposed a dual system of representation, cutting one of history’s great deals. Under the compromise each state would have two senators but representation in the House would be based on population.
“They broke the logjam between small and large states over constitutional representation and ensured successful signing of the Constitution two months later,” said Dodd.
The mural of Ellsworth and Sherman signing the compromise was painted by Bradley Stevens of Westport and it fills one of the four remaining portrait spaces in the ornate Senate Reception Room, where Senators can meet guests near that body’s chamber.
“Sherman and Ellsworth deserve to be placed among the greatest of the founding fathers,” said Sen. Robert C. Byrd, D-W.Va. “They are the ones who saved the Constitutional Convention and saved the Republic.”
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