Senate wants 3.9M in fuel aid for veterans, Patrick says 800K is enough to keep them warm.

[MethuenProgressive]

Governor Deval Patrick is asking legislators to approve a $104-a-month boost in state heating fuel assistance for qualified military veterans, which is only a fraction of the increase state senators approved in November.

In an emergency budget bill Patrick is sending to legislators this coming week, the governor asks for $800,000 to increase monthly state aid, from $146 a month to $250, for about 1,500 low-income veterans and their families this winter, Patrick aides said. With home heating oil prices having more than doubled in the last three years and the state facing an unusually cold and snowy December, Patrick said the state should make special efforts to help the neediest veterans.

But the governor's move falls far short of the $3.9 million annual increase in state fuel aid the state Senate approved Nov. 20.

The pro-Patrick Globe ran this under the misleading headline of:
"Patrick seeks boost in fuel aid for needy veterans."
:thumbsdown:

[YankeyMCC]

1. First let me say

that no veteran should ever have to worry about keeping sheltered, fed and warm - Ever!

But I think the headline if a little optimistic is accurate. Patrick is trying to get them help Now, since the House did not approve the full bill and will not get it approved (if at all) in time to help.

[xartlu]

2. need to regulate energy markets

It's scandalous whenever a vet has to suffer so. But I think the current models of providing heating assistance are wasteful and only help drive up prices in an already dysfunctional energy commodity market. We need to restructure markets to minimize the bidding up of prices by US firms... call it a buyers cartel. We also need to regulate markets to keep out speculators. Otherwise all our heating aid money isn’t getting the bang for the buck we taxpayers deserve... just as we are getting ripped off as consumers.