Burning money
From the governor's office:
RALEIGH - Gov. Mike Easley today announced that he is releasing an additional $4 million in funds to help low-income North Carolinians with the high heating costs expected this winter. With the public and private funds Easley secured in November, a total of $14 million is available to assist needy residents with home weatherization and utility bills. The combined resources are anticipated to serve over 80,000 North Carolina families.
Click here for the full release.
In the release, Easley refers to "The recent call from so many members of the General Assembly for additional crisis utility assistance."
This is referring to a letter sent by the legislature's recently-formed energy and fuel cost committee sent last week. Yes, the committee is the same one that's supposed to be looking at the dreaded tax at the gas pump.
My non-cynical-self says: Hey, that's nice. More folks who need it will get help paying their home heating bills. Living in a cold house stinks and this is a way for the state to help real people.
My cynical-self says: You know what? This is exactly the kind of action and response (nice touch by Easley) that will give the Dems cover should the GOP come after them with the gas tax issue in this year's elections.
As with all things up this way, there's probably a little from column A and a little from column B at work.