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For Immediate
Release
1/14/08
Contact:
Anna Gustafson
717-787-2637
Rhoades Introduces the
Pennsylvania Home Heating Rebate Program for Senior Citizens
HARRISBURG— Encouraging his colleagues to address an
issue that hits home for thousands of Pennsylvanians,
Senator James J. Rhoades (R-29) announced today that he will
introduce the Home Heating Rebate Program so that seniors
citizens can receive additional state assistance to offset
the skyrocketing costs of home heating fuel.
“With the way that the price of home heating fuel is
rising, thousands of our senior citizens need help- right
now,” said Rhoades. “My legislation will give it to them.”
Rhoades’ legislation will provide senior citizens who are
eligible for the Property Tax and Rent Rebate Program with
home heating fuel rebates. Senior citizens would apply for a
rebate to be used to offset the cost of home heating fuels.
The amount of the rebates will be based on the availability
of unused funds remaining in the Property Tax and Rent
Rebate Program.
According to Rhoades, over $80 million is available right
now.
“These funds are available now. They are supposed to be
used for our senior citizens. So, we should use these funds
for something that many of our senior citizens desperately
need: help with paying their home heating bills,” said
Rhoades.
In 2006, The General Assembly doubled the size of the
Property Tax and Rent Rebate (PTRR) Program, by increasing
payments $131 million and adding 281,000 new participants.
However, over $80 million remains in the PTRR program that
were not expended on claims this year. Rhoades’ legislation
simply uses any remaining funds for the home heating rebate
program.
Last week, Rhoades introduced legislation that would
mandate an immediate price freeze on all light fuel oil,
which includes oil used for domestic heating. The
restriction would expire at the end of the winter season on
April 1, 2008. In addition, civil fines of up to $1,000
maybe imposed for each violation of the law.
“The price of oil is hitting record highs and energy
prices are continuing to rise,” said Rhoades. “This bill
will give our senior citizens the help they need - right
now.
“For me, the question isn’t why we should do this.
The question is why we shouldn’t,” said Rhoades. “So
long as I am a Senator, I don’t want a single senior citizen
to be left out in the cold.”
Additional Information:
Environment and
Energy
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