The Iowa House is poised to approve a G-O-P plan that provides a 15-million dollar cash infusion for the state program which helps low income Iowans pay their heating bills. Representative Dwayne Alons, a republican from Hull, says that’s all the state can afford. He says lawmakers worked hard to come up with a good fiscally responsible bill.Alons says the state budget is tight, and there’s little wiggle room.Representative Keith Kreiman, a democrat from Bloomfield, says the G-O-P plan doesn’t provide enough money. He says at least 20-million dollars is needed.The Low Income Energy Assistance Program helps Iowans who earn less than 11-thousand dollars a year, and Kreiman says they are bowled over by their winter heating bills. He says some people in his area will have bills of 700 dollars.Representative Phil Wise, a democrat from Keokuk, says Governor Vilsack asked for 20-million, and the republican plan falls short.Debate on the issue will resume at four o’clock this afternoon. The House has already agreed to make changes in the bill, which means it must return to the Senate for review.
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