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State Representative
Mark Buesgens

445 State Office Building, 100 Constitution Ave., St. Paul, MN 55155 (651) 296- 1072

For Immediate ReleaseFor more information contact:
February 1, 2001Jeff Bakken (651-297-5600)
NEWS RELEASE
BUESGENS ACTS TO RELEASE EMERGENCY HEATING ASSISTANCE
FUNDS TO LOW-INCOME FAMILIES

ST. PAUL -- State Rep. Mark Buesgens (R-Jordan) and his colleagues in the Minnesota House of Representatives have authorized the release of over $12 million in federal funds designated for emergency heating assistance to low-income families in Minnesota. The bill (House File No. 421) was introduced and passed by the House on Monday, Jan. 29, 2001.

"The money has already been authorized by the federal government and designated for low- income Minnesota families," said Buesgens. "We needed to authorize its release before February 13 to prevent these families' power from being shut off."

The House Jobs & Economic Development Finance committee would have heard the bill under normal circumstances. However, due to urgent needs as a result of unusually cold weather, the House voted to suspend the Minnesota Constitution and House rules to hear the bill immediately.

The bill waives a 20-day waiting period and authorizes the Minnesota Department of Economic Security to release the funds to local Community Action Programs that disburse the money directly to utilities to cover the bills of low-income families.

"We knew this money was going to be spent anyway, so there was no reason to force families to wait in the dark and cold because a waiting period had to be met," said Buesgens.

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