From: Kerwin Olson
Brownsburg
Hoosiers are struggling. Families do not have enough to cover basic needs while financial-assistance programs are being eliminated. Recent surveys conducted by Indiana University’s O’Neill School of Public and Environmental Affairs inform us that 17% of families cannot pay their utility bills, with Black and Hispanic families hardest hit.
The U.S. Census Bureau reports that nearly 30% of Hoosier Households are struggling to meet basic household expenses. At the same time, data compiled by the National Energy Assistance Directors’ Association shows that utility debt is growing significantly as we are heading into the winter heating season. Total utility debt is expected to be more than $24 billion by the end of this year, which is more than three times what it was last year.
When COVID struck, Gov. Eric Holcomb did the right thing and protected Hoosier households by implementing a statewide utility shutoff moratorium, but that expired Aug. 14. Indiana utilities need to be held accountable to their customers.
It starts with federal action; I urge senators Mike Braun and Todd Young to include a nationwide utility shutoff moratorium as part of the COVID-19 stimulus package immediately. No one should go without power and other essential utility services during a pandemic.
