Minn. Senate Preps Emergency Heating Bill For Vote
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- The fast-track plan to provide $20 million in emergency heating assistance has been staged for a vote Monday in the Minnesota Senate.
But a slight change by the Senate Finance Committee on Wednesday will likely to force another House vote on the measure too. The House voted unanimously Tuesday to put more money into the low income heating assistance program.
The Minnesota Department of Commerce says the brutally cold winter and high propane costs have taken a toll on the program's budget. It could run dry in early March.
The Senate committee amended the bill to limit the amount of money that can be spent on administering the fund. So approval by the full Senate would require a new House vote before it is sent to Gov. Mark Dayton.
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