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December 30, 2005
Find the Funds
"Chattanooga/Hamilton County gave back $70,805 that it didn't spend, which was 5.7% of its allotment. It had the highest return rate in the state and started a waiting list this year."
That's the answer; the obvious question is, "didn't spend on what?" That would be utility payment assistance. This is federal money allocated to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program. The follow-up question is "why?"
According to Anne Paine's Tennessean article, "not many" people asked for the help last year in Hamilton County. The local coordinator blithely assumes that they were otherwise helped or "they didn't know" about the federal program. (The latter could be true; people don't pay attention.) The story in Metro Nashville seems to be that the distribution agency just can't keep up with the requests, so when the funds expire, they must be returned. This year, LIHEAP requests in both cities are far outnumbering the ability to respond. Winter just started last week.
I have a different sort of angle on which to question this story. When the counties give the money back, where does it go? We who pay federal taxes are the origin of these funds. I know that my modest salary doesn't do a whole lot in that regard, but it counts. What's more, I'm one of those pinkos who doesn't mind having my elected fellow citizens disburse my common-pocketbook contribution to folks who are in a rough (and cold) spot. But, hey, hypothetically speaking, if not all of the funds were needed because charitable organizations or some other means were keeping everybody warm, can I, um, have my part back, please? Where did it go when you "returned" it?
Seriously, I believe that the need is great. Energy prices are way up, and the effects of that on food and other essentials are being felt too. Wages aren't up that much. It's cold out. You have some people whose poor choices have gotten them in a bind, and still others whom are simply less fortunate. They all could use assistance, regardless. Even though the objective viewpoint is "that's not my problem," many of us take it upon ourselves, through one or multiple means, to at least make a dent in it.
But if bad organization and inefficient processing result in people being turned away from a resource that's supposed to help them, then nobody wins. The cash-strapped are still cold, a bigger burden gets placed on charities, I'm still out my taxes, and people from all sides of the political polygon lose hope in this grand experiment we call our "government."
Like I said this morning about a different problem altogether, I want to rise above merely complaining about the problem. I want to view it from all the relevant angles and work with others to forge solutions. I'm open to dialogue with local LIHEAP coordinator Jo Anne Watkins or with anyone else (including you, DR) on the matter.
Hat tip: Bill Hobbs. (Never mind the somewhat energized argument in the comments there. That's a different topic.)
Government | By joe lance | 08:22 PM