If Cap & Trade doesn't cause our utility bills to skyrocket, SB 1918 will

All you tea party ralliers focused on the federal Cap & Trade debacle, listen up -- better focus on what just happened in our own backyard today.  Average homeowners won't be able to afford air conditioning next year ...

Governor Pat Quinn just signed into law a bill that caps at 6 percent the amount those at 150 percent of the federal poverty level will be required to pay for utilities.  So, if the Obama Administration's Cap and Trade tax doesn't make average taxpayers' utility bills unpayable, making up the difference for what low income Illinois customers don't pay will.   It's SB 1918, sponsored by Senator Karen Lightford.  Here's who voted for this in the House (what were the Republicans thinking?) and in the Senate (Kudos to the 11 Senators who had the backbone to say "No: to another step in income redistribution).

Here's what Quinn's office has to say about SB 1918:

The bill requires utility companies to participate in bill payment assistance programs for customers through a Percentage of Income Payment Plan (PIPP). The PIPP makes it possible for tens of thousands of low-income households to pay an affordable amount each month for their gas and electricity bills, allowing eligible customers to pay no more than 6 percent of their income towards their energy costs. The program targets households across the state with incomes up to 150 percent of the federal poverty level guideline. (Additional information included in attached fact sheet).

"This new law protects the interests of consumers by mandating significant ethics reforms at the agency that sets energy prices and by making it easier for families to invest in energy efficiency programs and bring down the cost of their utility bills,” said Attorney General Lisa Madigan. “This law also creates a critical program to help low-income families manage their utility bills and end the cycle of disconnection and re-connection.”

Comments

[PeteSpeer]

And who defines what 6% of income is, especially for those who work in the Gray Market (the growing Cash and barter part of our economy.)?

What this will do will create an uncontrolled tendency to over use gas and electricity as well.

And how the heck does Ethics play into this?

Just another effort by the Dems to tie the lower income people tighter into the party.

Just another tax increase for the rest of us.

[PeteSpeer]

Went to find it and her.

She is Kimberly Lakeford out of Westchester. SB 1918 amends the Migrant Labor Camp management statute, I can't find any reference to the utilities cap.

What gives?

[Elizabeth]

Oh, hey, great. That means that the welfare mommy next door, who lives with her welfare daughter and granddaughter will be able to keep their sizable home warm and cozy.

That's special.

Esp for their working live-in (mostly..they know how to work the system) boyfriends who fathered the children(but didn't marry the mommies).

We, on the other hand, will likely have our taxes raised, will shiver next winter because we have to be frugal, and have the stupidity to be a married couple in IL. Sheesh.

[Elizabeth]

Who's behind PIPP? Acorn!

[Fran Eaton]

Pete:
The original text was deleted and the amendment became the bill. It's the right bill...

[Erin Raasch]

How many extra windmills and solar panels does it take to provide energy for homes with essentially free utilities? Think of all the birds that will die in those windmills. Can we try some COMMON SENSE FOLKS?

[Sherry]

Now the government can set prices for publicly owned companies, I'm sure they believe that private business is not far behind. I think the utilites should just close down and leave town. They'll evenutally have to shut down anyway. Oh, they can't raise your rates to cover the losses - the ICC will quickly quash that idea.