(Host) Democratic challenger Gaye Symington says Governor Jim Douglas is not moving quickly to get additional funds out to Vermonters for home weatherization projects.
But administration officials say Symington is wrong. They say the legislation went into effect on July 1st, and that the changes are being made now.
VPR’s John Dillon has more:
(Dillon) With the high cost of fuel oil, politicians are eager to prove that they’re doing everything to help Vermonters stay warm this winter.
Governor Jim Douglas recently announced that he released an additional $1 million for the state weatherization program. The money will help pay for improvements to make homes more energy-efficient.
But the Legislature added the $1 million dollars to the program, above the governor’s proposed budget. And House Speaker Gaye Symington – who’s also the Democratic candidate for governor – now says the administration has been slow to get the money out the door.
(Symington) "Vermonters are really scared about the upcoming winter and we should be as pro-active as possible. And I’m just surprised that the administration seems to be dragging their heels in terms of changing the contracts that our weatherization providers have in order to do more work in each home."
(Dillon) But the Douglas Administration questions Symington’s complaint. Human Services Secretary Cynthia LaWare says the law allowing the changes didn’t take effect until last week.
(LaWare) "The additional million dollars was appropriated as of July1st and I do think that it is somewhat inappropriate to indicate the administration has not been paying attention to this, has not taken it seriously or has not been working diligently to implement the changes such that people who are in need can access this benefit just as soon as it became available."
(Dillon) Symington says the administration had months to get the program ready. She says changes in eligibility guidelines for low-income people were also delayed.
(Symington) "They were fast enough to get themselves to the microphone to claim credit. They could be getting the aid to Vermonters more expeditiously, it seems to me."
(Dillon) The Legislature also increased the limit on how much work can be done on a home. They upped the amount from $4,300 in improvements, to $6,000.
Symington says the $1 million in additional funds will help pay for the work.
For VPR News, I’m John Dillon.