HomeMy WebLinkAboutResolutions - 2017.05.10 - 22918MISCELLANEOUS RESOLUTION #17132
BY: Commissioners Janet Jackson, District #21; David Woodward, District #19; Marcia Gershenson,
District #13; Helaine Zack, District #18; Gary McGillivray, District #20; Nancy Quarles, District #17; David
Bowman, District #10
IN RE: BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS — OPPOSING PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP'S PROPOSED
ELIMINATION OF FUNDING PROVIDED TO THE LOW INCOME HOME ENERGY ASSISTANCE
PROGRAM
To the Oakland County Board of Commissioners
Chairperson, Ladies and Gentlemen:
WHEREAS the budget proposed by President Trump signals a disturbing and perilous vision for America
that abandons the millions of low- and moderate-income people who are working hard to strengthen their
own and their families' economic security; and
WHEREAS the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) assists eligible low income
households with their heating and cooling energy costs, bill payment assistance, energy crisis assistance,
weatherization and energy-related home repairs; and
WHEREAS the LIHEAP statute establishes federal eligibility for households with incomes at or below
150% of poverty or 60% of state median income, whichever is higher; and
WHEREAS according to 2012 data from the U.S. Census Bureau, 15% of the population have incomes
below the poverty threshold; and
WHEREAS without energy assistance, many low-income households would have to choose between
heating and eating or other vital necessities; and
WHEREAS extensive academic research has documented the broader impact of energy assistance, from
the "heat or eat" dynamic seen in many lower-income households, to the health effects on children; and
WHEREAS since 1981, the LIHEAP has supported millions of families in need of immediate energy
assistance to either heat or cool their residences; and
WHEREAS the Fiscal Year 2016 appropriation for the LIHEAP was set at $3.39 billion and per the Office
of Community Services, an estimated 6.9 million American households received assistance with energy
costs due to the Block Grants; and
WHEREAS per the Congressional Research Service, 2015 LIHEAP regular fund allotment distributed to
the State of Michigan totaled $161.827 million; and
WHEREAS the Oakland County Board of Commissioners believes it is essential that LIHEAP
appropriations be funded at the $3.39 billion authorized level, with the clear recognition that even at this
funding level, a significant majority of eligible households are unable to receive assistance due to lack of
funds.
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Oakland County Board of Commissioners hereby
opposes the elimination of the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program funding as proposed by
President Donald J. Trump's 2018 America First: A Budget Blueprint to Make America Great Again
Budget Proposal and fully supports the restoration of pre-2010 levels of funding for the Department of
Health and Human Services.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that Oakland County Board of Commissioners believes the current budget
proposal by President Donald J. Trump to be ill-conceived, dangerous and reckless in nature, both
immediately and in the future.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Oakland County Clerk/Register of Deeds is requested to forward
copies of this adopted resolution to the President of the United States, the President of the United States
Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, the members of the Michigan
congressional delegation, the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services,
the Governor of the State of Michigan, the State Senate Majority and Minority leaders, the State House
Speaker and Minority leader, the Director of the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, the
members of the Oakland County delegation to the Michigan Legislature, the Michigan Association of
Counties, the Macomb County Executive, the Wayne County Executive, the Mayor of the City of Detroit
and the Chairperson of the Oakland Livingston Human Services Agency.
Chairperson, I move the adoption of the foregoing Resolution.
V'rerryner Janet”ert(d
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Commissioner Marcia Gtir-stensbn
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Commissioner David Bowman
District *10
Commission David Woodward
District *19
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Resolution #17132 May 10, 2017
The Chairperson referred the resolution to the General Government Committee. There were no objections.