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Democrats are introducing a bill that would limit utility costs for Wisconsinites.
One in four Americans struggles to pay their electric bill, according to data from the
U.S. Census.
And the Bureau of Labor Statistics says energy prices have jumped by 40 percent just in
the last five years.
In Wisconsin, residential energy customers are paying about 30 percent more than they did
in 2020.
That leads some families to make hard choices, like Jill Sexton and her husband, who live in
wasa.
I'm in my 60s and so is my husband.
We've each raised a couple of kids.
He's on social security and I'm on disability.
Our house is heated by gas and we're on a fixed income.
We're doing everything we can yet we still cannot keep up.
I ended up taking a part-time job specifically to cover the increase in our electric and heating bills.
Representative Darren Madison is from Milwaukee.
He's introducing a bill that would require Wisconsin's Public Service Commission create a
program that limits utility costs to 2 percent of a household's income.
When fully phased in, the 2 percent income payment program will be a fully universal and automatic
program making it so that no one ever has to pay more than 2 percent of their income on utilities again.
And that's something to clap about.
From November 1st to April 15th, utility companies cannot shut off someone's electricity
if they're behind on payments.
That's been Wisconsin law since 1984.
But once April 15th hits, people have higher bills to pay and can have their power shut off.
The low income heating and electricity assistance program or LIHEAP
distributes funding to states to help low income households afford their utility bills.
Back in April, the Trump administration fired the entire national staff of LIHEAP.
So now its future is in jeopardy.
Even before employees were fired, only 17 percent of families who qualify for LIHEAP help actually got it.
Advocates say enrollment is complicated.
But under this bill, the 2 percent utility cap would be automatic for families.
However, this bill would need Republican support to go up for a vote and pass, which is unlikely in the state legislature.
I'm Savannah Tome Olson. This is Civic Media News.
Murph does it again.
Hi, I'm Mike Clemens with sports baseball.
The brewers Pat Murphy named nationally manager of the year for a second year in a row.
Well, I think it's a statement for the Milwaukee brewers from ownership to the ivory tower to our coaching staff.
You know, it's an organizational award and I'm very pleased to be part of this organization.
He's only the fourth manager to ever win in back-to-back seasons.
Bucks basketball tonight, they're in Charlotte to take on the Hornets.
College hoops was constant with a win over Ball State 86-55.
NFL, the Packers back at work after losing to the Eagles, Senator Elton Jenkins.
Now on injured reserve after suffering a fractured fibula Monday night.
Last week, it was Tucker Kraft and the ACL.
Could these injuries become an issue?
I mean, we're not going to let it.
I think the frustration is just that we haven't figured it out yet.
We definitely come into every game with the confidence we've got to find a way there today.
To add some food as well.
That's Packers wide receiver Christian Watson was sports on Mike Clemmons.
Mostly sunny today with a high in the upper 40s to low 50s this afternoon.
And then dropping by mid to late afternoon back into the mid 40s.
A little breezy west wind gusting to near 30.
Tonight clear 28 tomorrow, mostly sunny with a high in the low 50s.
I'm meteorologist Sean Cable.
That's your Amory News Roundup from WLAK.
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