ZUMBROTA, Minn. - As the upper Midwest was hit this weekend with the worst snowstorm in nearly 20 years, thousands of low-income Minnesotans were safe and snug at home, thanks to energy assistance programs. However, thousands more are waiting for help. The federally-funded program has received less money this year, although applications in Minnesota are up by about 10 percent.

Marla Lodermeier, energy assistance coordinator with Three Rivers Community Action, Zumbrota, says typically the funding comes in multiple allocations, but usually the process is seamless and they don't have to put people on a waiting list.

"We are anticipating more funds, but we don't know when they're coming or how much more we're going to be getting. That's a concern to us, because a lot of these households that need immediate help are in some crisis situation, and we're unable to help them because we can't give them any funds."

So far, the state has received one $65 million allocation, with no word on when the next allocation will arrive. Last year, Minnesota got a total of $160 million. About 38 agencies across the state provide energy assistance. Most are Community Action Partnerships. They are still encouraging households to apply, so their paperwork is in order when more funds arrive.

Without energy assistance, households face serious consequences beyond heat disconnection, Lodermeier explains, including no hot water, frozen pipes and carbon monoxide poisoning from using alternate sources to stay warm. They often face difficult choices, she adds.

"Some of our elderly go without their medications, food or other necessities, just so they can keep some heat in their homes. People also could neglect their other bills - let's say, like a car payment. But if they lose their car, they lose their ability to get to work - and it just spirals out of control."

Those who aren't receiving energy assistance are not completely without options. Minnesota's "Cold Weather Rule" prevents utility companies from shutting off the heat from mid-October through mid-April. However, Lodermeier says, this only protects people with connected utilities - it's another story for those who heat with propane or oil.

"It's up to the vendor if they want to work out payments with their customer or not. And a lot of these vendors are small business owners, also, who are struggling day-to-day, so they can't allow large credits on the accounts, either."

The "Cold Weather Rule" does not kick in automatically, nor does it stop all winter disconnections. Families must apply for the assistance and work out payment plans directly with their utility.

Information about energy assistance is available at http://tinyurl.com/2bnhx5y.





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Even in a stable economy, consumers in Wisconsin and elsewhere still express pessimism and advocates said a key federal agency working on issues like unfair business practices cannot risk losing resources needed to help consumers.

To avoid a government shutdown, Congress has to approve a new federal budget by month's end. Over the summer, House Republicans floated cuts in certain areas, including a 27% funding cut for the Federal Trade Commission.

Erin Witte, director of consumer protection for the Consumer Federation of America, said the timing could not be worse for such a move.

"We've seen people talk a lot about feeling like their costs are increased in lots of ways," Witte pointed out. "The FTC's work is really aimed at trying to lower a lot of those costs, to bring some fairness back to the process."

Last month, the agency co-hosted the first meeting of a task force about whether companies are price-gouging and the effect on consumers. GOP leaders on the Appropriations Committee said they want a financial services bill prioritizing combating terrorism-money activity, maintaining the integrity of financial markets and spurring small business growth.

Witte contends the FTC has made progress in standing up for consumers with great efficiency. She pointed to the proposed "click to cancel" rule, which would remove barriers for people worried about recurring charges for an unwanted subscription for a service or product.

"That would make it as easy for someone to cancel a subscription as it is to sign up for it," Witte explained. "That proposal has gotten thousands of comments from consumers about how much time they are wasting on things like unnecessary subscriptions."

The state-level organization Opportunity Wisconsin has also cited concerns about consumer protections being gutted. It called on Congress to pass clean funding bills without extreme provisions it said would "hurt Wisconsin families." It is unclear if any of the budget ideas floated over the past several months will find their way into a final spending plan.

Congress is back from recess and lawmakers are hearing from producers about getting a new Farm Bill passed with the latest deadline looming.

North Dakota farmers were among those who traveled to Washington, D.C., to demand progress. More than two dozen North Dakota Farmers Union members were part of a large contingent getting face-to-face time with federal lawmakers this week.

The Farm Bill, last updated in 2018, needs to be reauthorized by the end of the month or elements of the current version will expire.

Bob Kuylen, a farmer from the western half of the state, said the uncertainty comes as small-to-mid-sized producers face the prospect of dwindling profits.

"Inputs are awful high and we're down there in prices quite a ways," Kuylen pointed out.

A glut of crops and other products on the market are resulting in smaller financial returns for the farmers who grow them. The Union said a stronger safety net in a new Farm Bill could make losses easier to absorb. However, with the fall election approaching and a federal budget also needing a vote, complications are mounting in getting the agricultural policy reauthorized.

The Farm Bill also funds key initiatives to address hunger relief like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. Kuylen noted it shows the sweeping policy touches a lot of facets within the food production system, affecting many Americans.

"Eighty-two percent of the Farm Bill is nutrition," Kuylen explained. "Farmers get a very small part of the Farm Bill. You know, it covers things like conservation programs."

The statistic he cited is reported by the Congressional Research Service. Union voices said the urgency comes as farmers also deal with rising machinery costs and corporate consolidation within agriculture. Last fall, Congress approved a one-year extension of the Farm Bill, prompting fears lawmakers would again let negotiations drag on until the last minute.

West Virginia lawmakers will convene for a Special Session on Sept. 30, with the state's child care crisis, proposed income tax cuts and supplemental appropriations on the agenda.

The Mountain State's spending on child care is much lower than neighboring states and has steadily declined over the past decade, according to the West Virginia Center on Budget and Policy. It is estimated the parents of around 26,000 children currently lack affordable child care options.

Gov. Jim Justice is reiterating his push for child care tax credits.

"Absolutely try to get our tax break across the finish line with child care," Justice urged. "There's supplemental appropriations that need to be done, and we need to get the money out the door."

Previous bills proposing a child care tax credit for households with incomes less than $65,000 a year have stalled in the Legislature. The Biden administration has said the state needs to contribute between $20 million and $30 million to keep a federal subsidy program afloat for the next year, to direct money to child care centers, making costs more affordable for families.

The governor is also proposing another 5% income tax cut.

"We need another tax break," Justice contended. "I'm very, very hopeful and optimistic that we're going to be able to get it through."

According to state data, tax revenue collections for August were lower than expected at around $403 million and down from last August, when $410 million in tax revenue was collected.

Support for this reporting was provided by The Carnegie Corporation of New York.