Poor in Texas to see higher power bills

[Richardo]

They're scum. Pure and simple. Save us $0.65 cents a month to rip off the poor.

Oh wait a sec! We're NOT saving $0.65 cents per month. It's being diverted to the general fund. Gee, some would call this a TAX INCREASE!

:mad: :grr: :nuke:

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/metropolitan/3301860

Starting Sept. 1, money collected for low-income aid will be diverted into general fund
By POLLY ROSS HUGHES
Copyright 2005 Houston Chronicle Austin Bureau

• When: The poor lose their 10 percent electric discount on Sept. 1
• How many: There are 391,000 low-income Texans, 115,000 in Houston/Galveston
• How much: $13 to $17 on average per month, $150 to $200 per year
• Who pay s: The average ratepayer pays 65 cents per month to cover the discounts

Sources: Public Utility Commission and Consumers Union

AUSTIN - Low-income households will soon pay 10 percent more for electricity because budget writers raided a discount program for the poor to help balance the state budget.

Monday the Texas Public Utility Commission began sending out 391,000 letters to low-income Texans, including the elderly and disabled, telling them the days of discounts are over.

"The electric low-income discount program, also called LITE-UP Texas, has been discontinued due to lack of funding. Your electric bill discounts will end after your August bill," the letter said.

Roughly 115,000 households in the greater Houston-Galveston area will lose the discount, up to about $17 monthly or about $200 a year.

<snip> More, if you can stomach it...

[ironman202]

1. that headline could be read to mean

they have figured out how to make people pay for access to god.

[Richardo]

3. HA!

I love it when stuff like that gets past the editor.

[beyurslf]

2. This is what we call compassionate conservatism at work.

[tammywammy]

4. "lack of funds"

means stolen to cover useless special sessions.