Michigan Lawmakers Working On Heating Help Plan

LANSING (AP) - Michigan lawmakers say they'll come up with an agreement to raise money for a state fund designed to protect low-income residents from utility shut-offs.

Republicans in the Senate and House have introduced separate bills for replenishing or replacing the heating assistance fund. Republican Sen. Mike Nofs of Battle Creek said Tuesday he expects an agreement by the end of next week.

The House plan includes using about $62 million in federal funds targeted for low-income residents. The Senate plan would create a new fund that could be collected from a variety of sources. Minority Democrats want a more permanent solution than either of those Republican-backed plans.

A change is needed because the Michigan Court of Appeals earlier this year struck down the financing system used by the state fund.

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