Category: Rachel Kolokoff
Patrick Testifies to Support Increase in Home Heating Funds
PATRICK
Worcester Telegram and Gazette
Rachel Kolokoff
Boston University Washington News Service
September 25, 2008
WASHINGTON – Gov. Deval Patrick testified on Capitol Hill Thursday that Massachusetts could face a public health threat unless Congress increases funds for home heating assistance and encourages states to use energy more efficiently.
“Without help, many of our most vulnerable citizens will find themselves facing heating bills they cannot pay,” Mr. Patrick said. “And the challenge is right around the corner. Nighttime temperatures are already dropping into the 40s and 30s this week in New England.”
Mr. Patrick offered his testimony to the House Select Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming to support $5.1 billion for the federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) in fiscal year 2009.
That amount, which is almost double what states received this year, is part of an omnibus spending bill the House passed on Wednesday. Massachusetts would receive some $163 million, an increase of more than $36 million from this year.
While the governor applauded the House’s action, he also said the money is just a stopgap measure.
“High energy costs in the Northeast are a foreseeable and continuing reality,” Mr. Patrick said. “A dedicated federal plan that includes support for state LIHEAP programs, and also for efficiency strategies and renewable energy generation and delivery, is the big task remaining ahead.”
He said it will probably take $3,200 to $4,000 to heat an average Massachusetts household with oil this winter. He said he was hopeful that the bill will pass in the Senate.
“I met with the whole Massachusetts delegation today, and Sen. Kerry was there, and he’s hopeful, and I know he’s going to press for it,” the governor said. “Also, Chairman [Edward J.] Markey says he’s been in touch with his counterparts on the Senate side.”
U.S. Rep. Markey, D-Malden, the chairman of the select energy committee. said he hopes the Senate does the right thing by passing the bill.
“More families than ever will need assistance this winter, and the additional LIHEAP funding that Democrats have provided will hopefully ensure that everyone in need of help this winter will be able to get it,” Mr. Markey said in a statement.
That assistance, he said, would help people in the Northeast face the skyrocketing prices of home-heating fuel.
Families who use heating oil will spend 30 percent more this winter than last winter, a $600 average increase, Mr. Markey said. Those who use natural gas will spend nearly 20 percent more.
“Regardless of the region of the country or the home-heating fuel, the Department of Energy is forecasting that families will experience a substantial increase in their heating costs this winter,” Mr. Markey said.
U.S. Rep. James Sensenbrenner, R-Wis., the senior Republican on the committee, said that while he appreciates the help that the energy assistance program provides low-income households, he has concerns about the formula for division of funds among the states.
The program, Mr. Sensenbrenner said, is meant to help people stay warm from the cold.
“No one is going to freeze in Arizona,” he said.
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Massachusetts Congressmen Say Bailout Plan Needs Work
CRISIS
Worcester Telegram and Gazette
Rachel Kolokoff and Guanlei Ren
Boston University Washington News Service
September 24, 2008
WASHINGTON - Massachusetts members of Congress voiced skepticism on Capitol Hill Wednesday as Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke and Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson again urged Congress to approve a $700 billion bailout plan for Wall Street.
Though Paulson and Bernanke said at the House Financial Services Committee hearing that the bailout is required to stave off a worsening financial crisis, congressmen are reluctant to approve such a large investment in devalued financial assets without further assurance that taxpayers will benefit in the long run.
“I think we need to protect the taxpayers of this country, and handing $700 billion to Wall Street with no conditions, no oversight and no accountability is irresponsible,” U.S. Rep. James P. McGovern, D-Worcester, said.
Rep. McGovern said the last time Congress made the mistake of giving the administration free rein was with the Iraq war.
“When they passed that resolution, they basically gave President Bush whatever he wanted and that turned out to be a tragedy,” Rep. McGovern said.
U.S. Rep. John W. Olver, D-Amherst, also said the plan needs more regulations.
“The plan as first put forward by Secretary Paulson was essentially a $700 billion blank check,” Rep. Olver said in a statement. “It offered a bailout for Wall Street with virtually unlimited powers that could not be reviewed by another federal agency.”
U.S. Rep. Richard E. Neal, D-Springfield, shared Rep. Olver’s concerns, emphasizing the need for further oversight to ensure a safe return on taxpayer investments. These billions are a loan, not a grant, he said.
“I would suggest we approach this judiciously, try to value the assets that are involved and put in place a corporation with great transparency that would sell off the assets of many of these companies, many of which are good, and pay back the federal Treasury,” Rep. Neal said.
U.S. Rep. Niki Tsongas, D-Lowell, said that while it may take some time to further develop the plan, it’s become clear that this government intervention is necessary.
“It seems to me that simply by promising to act as Secretary Paulson did last week that it’s created such a high level of expectation in the market that if we fail to address it we could have a real crisis on our hands,” Tsongas said.
U.S. Sen. John F. Kerry, D-Mass., in a written statement, said he is worried that taxpayers will pay the price. While immediate action is necessary, he said, he too is troubled by a lack of oversight.
“Republicans have consistently railed against oversight and accountability during the last eight years,” Sen. Kerry said. “Now taxpayers are forced to clean up their mess.”
U.S. Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., agreed that accountability is vital to the plan.
“There has to be full disclosure, and Americans everywhere must join together to make sure those who hold positions of responsibility are going to fulfill them both now and in the days and weeks to come,” Sen. Kennedy said in a statement.
At Wednesday’s hearing, Secretary Paulson said he understands that members of Congress are concerned but assured them the plan has taxpayers in mind.
“Let me make clear – this entire proposal is about benefiting the American people, because today's fragile financial system puts their economic well-being at risk,” he said. “When local banks and thrifts aren't able to function as they should, Americans' personal savings, and the ability of consumers and businesses to finance spending, investment and job creation, are threatened.”
In his testimony, Mr. Bernanke emphasized that America still faces “grave threats” to its financial stability.
He also said that, besides the bailout plan, the Federal Reserve had taken actions to increase liquidity and stabilize markets, including new financial agreements with the Bank of England, the Bank of Japan and the Bank of Canada.
Members of the Financial Services Committee, chaired by U.S. Rep. Barney Frank, D-Newton, criticized the bailout plan. Lawmakers said they understand that Wall Street and Main Street are linked but want a detailed spending plan. Taxpayer protection, committee members said, was the main concern.
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Celtics Celebrate Win with White House Visit
CELTICS
Worcester Telegram and Gazette
Rachel Kolokoff
Boston University Washington News Service
September 19, 2008
WASHINGTON – The Boston Celtics joined President George W. Bush at the White House Friday to celebrate the team’s 17th NBA championship. The president spoke briefly, honoring the sportsmanship that brought the team their first win in 22 years.
“I welcome the Boston Celtics team that has brought great pride to the Boston area,” Bush said. “As you know, I went to school up there and that was when the Celtics were awesome.”
Speaking to some 150 people including members of Congress, the armed forces and Celtics fans, the president said this year’s win surprised “the experts,” who did not think the team would end more than two decades of championship drought.
“At the beginning of last season, few would have predicted how this season would have ended,” he said. “After all, the Celtics had finished with the second worst record in the NBA.”
He and other baby boomers, he said, were “reminded of a great basketball rivalry” when the Celtics took on the Lakers in June, clinching the title in Game 6 of the NBA Finals.
The president also praised the Celtics coaching staff including head coach Glenn “Doc” Rivers.
“He brought character to the club house,” Bush said. “He brought unity to the team and he helped bring the championship back to Boston.”
The president also praised the Celtics for their community involvement, including work done with The Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation and the Heroes Among Us program.
“It’s a really good idea and I thank you for doing that,” he said. “I want to congratulate you for worrying about children and literacy and using your special status in society to set a good example.”
In closing, he reiterated his congratulations and wished the team success.
“I wish you all the very best for the next season,” he said. “Should you win it, you can find me in Texas.”
After the speech, team president Paul Pierce presented the 43rd president with an autographed basketball and a personalized Celtics jersey with No. 43.
“On behalf of the Celtics organization we’d like to thank you,” Pierce said.
Pierce also announced the Celtics’ donation of $100,000 to American Red Cross) on behalf of the families and victims of Hurricane Ike.
“We’d just like to say thank you and it’s truly an honor,” Pierce said.
Seaman Brian M. Brooks, a 29-year-old from North Carolina, said that while he had enjoyed being a member of the military color guard for the Celtics in the finals, he was truly honored to be at this event.
“This is probably the best thing I’ve ever done,” Brooks said.
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