Governor to approve extra utility aid for needy

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Extra financial aid soon will be available to low-income Missourians struggling to pay their winter heating bills.

Gov. Matt Blunt said he intends to sign legislation today spending $6.3 million on the Utilicare program, which helps people pay utility bills and weatherize their homes to improve energy efficiency.

The Senate passed the bill Wednesday with little debate, after House passage of the supplemental budget item last week.

The state money would be added to $42.5 million that Missouri receives from the federal government through the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The federal money, which also includes funds carried over from last year, is divided among administrative expenses, energy assistance, heating and cooling.

This marks the second straight year that Missouri has added money to the energy aid program.

"Missouri families have been hit hard by rising energy costs, and to make things worse, we've endured a number of storms this winter and a very cold winter," Blunt said at a Capitol news conference applauding passage of the bill.

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Utilicare bill is HB15

Legislature: http://www.moga.mo.gov