By Marshall Griffin, KWMU
Jefferson City, Mo. – Missouri Governor Matt Blunt has yet to say how big next year's state budget will be. But Tuesday he announced how much he wants to spend on one item in particular.
Utilicare provides assistance to low-income Missourians for their utility bills.
The Governor says he wants to raise funding for the program from its current $6.1 million to $6.3 million.
"No Missourian should have to choose between heating their home and the necessities of life," Blunt said. "I'll be asking the Legislature to approve my special supplental appropriation to fund this valuable program."
Blunt also has the backing of House Speaker Rod Jetton and of Senate President Pro-tem Michael Gibbons.
Missourians who earn less than 125 percent of the federal poverty limit are eligible for Utilicare.