Maine is Sending Most of Us $450 to Help Pay for Heat

I just got my oil bill, and so grateful help is on the way.

According to the Bangor Daily News, $450 checks are on their way to most of us. If you make less than $100,000 or as a couple making less than $200,000, you will get the relief money. These checks are part of a massive $475 million dollar relief package that was hung up in December by Senate Republicans but got approved this week and Governor Mills signed it in lightening speed.

Of course, politics was part of this. Democrats blamed the last administration (Governor Paul LePage) for not doing more to get Maine off its dependence on fossil fuel for heat. Republicans said that this is just a bandaid that doesn't solve the problem of high heating costs long-term. Both sides make valid points, but those valid points don't heat our homes. I have been completely freaked about the price of oil. I have been keeping my house at a comfy 60-64 degrees.

These checks will go to an estimated 880,000 people. That's over 64% of Maine's population. Where did Maine get this kind of money? Most of the relief check funding is coming from a $280 million state budget surplus. Gotta love that word surplus. The other big part of this package is $50 million for the heading aid program for low-income Mainers that could run out of money later this year because heating oil costs so much more this year. Another $21 million will go to emergency housing and homeless shelters.

These checks are appreciated. Maine is by far the most dependent on home heating oil in the nation, with nearly 60% of Mainers using oil to heat their homes. I'd say this is a great way to spend a surplus. Let's hope it stays a fairly mild winter!