Ragan Report

Emergency heating funds will help struggling families

This week, the Senate Appropriations Committee approved additional help for low-income Iowans struggling to pay their home heating bills during this exceptionally cold winter.

SSB 3137 would provide $2 million to the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), which helps offset heating costs for low-income families. The additional money will help address issues, including fixing broken furnaces, financial hardships, and carrying out emergency fuel deliveries for families in need.

Last year, LIHEAP assisted more than 85,000 Iowa households. As of December, more than 60,000 households had already received assistance through LIHEAP this fiscal year.

The supplemental assistance approved in the Senate is due to the spike in propane fuel costs. About 10 percent of LIHEAP recipients depend on propane to heat their homes. Throughout Iowa, propane is three to four times the usual price. Usually, propane is about $1.79 a gallon. A two week winter supply of propane (typically around 150 gallons) would cost over $800.

The federal government is also responding to the need. The U.S. Department of Human & Health Services released asecond LIHEAP appropriation of close to $7.5 million to help Iowa families heat their homes during this cold weather. 

Iowans with questions or concerns should check the state's  Propane Shortage and Heating Assistance Webpage. It has detailed information about LIHEAP, energy and cost-saving tips, safe heating alternatives and other resources.  Just go to http://governor.iowa.gov/propane.

High speed internet is economic engine

Iowa ranks 11th out of 12 Midwestern states in the TechNet State Broadband Index, which ranks states based on how many households use broadband, network speeds and the number of jobs that benefit from broadband technology.

According to a survey from Connect Iowa, 71 percent of Iowa households have adopted broadband, but only 47 percent can access broadband at high speed (50 Mbps). Broadband is even more under-utilized by low-income families, rural households and senior citizens. About 23,000 of Iowa’s 80,000 businesses are not using high-speed Internet services.

Broadband can be a powerful economic tool for Iowans and businesses. Better broadband access, particularly in rural areas, could spur economic development through job creation and business expansion.

That is why legislators in the House and Senate are looking at ways to improve access to broadband in Iowa. Under a Senate proposal, companies could get tax breaks if they invest in broadband infrastructure. The bill also would establish a loan fund for businesses making broadband investments.

In September, Governor Branstad announced a new broadband initiative, Connect Every Iowan. A task force made up of stakeholders and legislators met to discuss broadband connectivity issues, as well as how we can increase access to and use of broadband throughout Iowa. To view the task force’s report and learn more about Iowa's work to expand broadband, go https://broadband.iowa.gov. 

Upcoming listening posts

• Saturday, February 15, 10 a.m.: Listening Post at Mason City Public Library, 225 Second Street SE in Mason City

• Friday, February 21 at 9:30: Legislative Listening Post at Clear Lake Bank & Trust, 322 Main Avenue in Clear Lake

• Friday, February 28 at 10 a.m.: Butler County Legislative Listening Post at Allison Public Library, 412 3rd Street

• Friday, February 28 at 1 p.m.: Franklin County Legislative Listening Post at Center One, 5 First Street SW, Hampton

This is a legislative column by Senator Amanda Ragan, representing Franklin, Butler and Cerro Gordo counties. For newsletters, photos and further information, go to www.senate.iowa.gov/senator/ragan.  To contact Senator Ragan during the week, call the Senate Switchboard at 515-281-3371. Otherwise she can be reached at home at 641-424-0874. E-mail her at amanda.ragan@legis.iowa.gov. Senator Ragan is an Assistant Senate Majority Leader, chair of the Human Resources Committee and vice-chair of the Health and Human Services Budget Subcommittee. She also serves on the Appropriations, Natural Resources and Environment, Rules and Administration and Veterans Affairs committees.