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Laura Yuen
St. Paul, Minn.

Obama budget would cut heating aid for 44K Minn. homes

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The state's commerce commissioner says about 44,000 Minnesota homes would lose heating assistance under President Barack Obama's budget proposal.

Commissioner Mike Rothman said the president's proposed cuts to the national home heating-aid program would affect vulnerable seniors, people with disabilities and families with children across the state. Rothman said next year, Minnesota would receive about half of the amount it currently receives.

"Obviously, the federal government is looking at difficult decisions," Rothman said. "It's going to run through Congress. And as people are looking at it, I would just hope they consider the disproportionate impact on people and look for ways to solve it in other ways."

The commerce department administers the federal program, known as LIHEAP, in Minnesota.

While states across the country are facing cuts to the program, Rothman said he believes states like Minnesota have more vulnerable people to protect because of their cold winters.