House Majority Leader Jason Osborne (R-Auburn) released the following statement after the House passed HB2023, making appropriations to the department of energy for a state emergency fuel assistance program and a supplemental electric benefit, and relative to the electric low-income program fund on a voice vote.
“Due to no fault of their own, many Granite Staters who have not previously needed assistance, may find themselves unable to pay their bills this winter and do not qualify for the federal assistance programs. We want to ensure those people have some help. Thanks to sound fiscal management and responsible leadership, we have created a favorable economic environment that has resulted in a revenue surplus. We believe using this surplus to assist households heat their homes this winter is the right thing to do.”
“Let me be completely clear: we would not be in this situation if it were not for gross mismanagement and failed policies by the Biden Administration, and complete inaction by Maggie Hassan, Chris Pappas, and Ann Kuster. Heating and electric costs are anticipated to rise to catastrophic levels. Although we cannot reverse the federal government’s decisions from Concord, we are doing what we can to help Granite Staters make it through the winter while also easing the tax burden on municipalities’ welfare programs. Washington must wake up and realize the devastating effects their policies are having on Americans.”