Rep. Ebli offered the following concurrent resolution:

            House Concurrent Resolution No. 5.

            A concurrent resolution to urge the President and Congress of the United States to appropriate additional funding for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).

            Whereas, Home heating is a fundamental necessity in northern climate states during the months from October through March. However, low-income households in Michigan and across the nation struggle to pay for this basic necessity. High energy bills in winter force many low-income households into difficult situations, such as forgoing medicine or food in order to pay energy bills or putting themselves in danger by using stoves and portable heaters to provide warmth; and

            Whereas, In the early 1980s, Congress recognized the need for heating and other home energy assistance when it enacted legislation to create the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The LIHEAP program has become a crucial safety net for low-income households and families across the nation, especially in northern climate states. LIHEAP assistance has helped millions of families keep their homes at safe and healthy temperatures; and

            Whereas, Last year Congress appropriated a record level $3.2 billion in LIHEAP funding. In spite of this, only a fraction of eligible low income households received assistance.  According to the United States Department of Health and Human Services, last winter only 15 percent of 38 million eligible low-income households actually received assistance from the LIHEAP program; and

            Whereas, This year, with the adoption of a September 29th continuing resolution, Congress has appropriated only $1.98 billion for LIHEAP. The President's proposed FY 2008 budget calls for funding to be reduced further to $1.78 billion.  Under these funding proposals, it is estimated that Michigan will receive as much as $47 million dollars less than last year. This will surely mean that state energy assistance programs will be forced to shut down programs and turn needy people away. Last year, even with the record level funding, only 35 percent of eligible low-income households in Michigan received LIHEAP assistance; and

            Whereas, Such inadequate LIHEAP funding could be disastrous for Michigan.  The state is struggling through one of the nation's worst economic situations. Currently, nearly one third of Michigan households are at or below 60 percent of the state's median income, and the unemployment rate, which is already much higher than the national average, keeps growing. Clearly, such tough economic times coupled with a cold, harsh winter, and high heating fuel prices, make LIHEAP funding vital for the state of Michigan; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the House of Representatives (the Senate concurring), That we urge the President and the Congress of the United States to immediately increase funding for LIHEAP to at least last year's level of $3.2 billion; and be it further

            Resolved, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to the Office of the President of the United States, the President of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, and the members of the Michigan congressional delegation.