In response to the ongoing hardship faced by many Oregon families during the federal government shutdown, State Senator Deb Patterson and 17 other lawmakers are calling upon Oregon's Public Utility Commission to intervene on behalf of residents struggling to pay their utility bills. In a collective effort to offset some of the financial strain, Patterson has asked the commission to prevent utility disconnections for customers who have fallen behind on payments during this tumultuous period.
With federal employees going unpaid and disruptions in the distribution of food benefits stirring uncertainty amongst the state's residents, the coalition of state Senators and Representatives understands the necessity of maintaining essential services. "It’s good news that November food assistance has been unblocked through a court order, but the continuing federal shutdown puts the future of SNAP and other benefits at risk," Senator Patterson stated. "No family should face the impossible choice between putting food on the table or heating their home in cold weather."
Amidst the fear of decreasing funds for vital programs such as the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) benefits, legislators have pushed for a moratorium on service disconnections. In a letter, which has been publicly shared, the group expressed its concerns and emphasized the potential ramifications of terminating utility services during a crisis that is impacting a segment of the population already facing financial challenges.
Senator Jeff Golden of Rogue Valley echoed these sentiments, highlighting the undue stress placed on families by the federal shutdown's ripple effect. "The shutdown, along with other executive decisions from Washington, is making life harder for working families already struggling to get by," Golden told the floor. "They’ve done nothing to deserve this. Whether the PUC takes action or the utility companies act independently to help customers whose bills keep mounting, our communities need relief."
Furthermore, copies of the request made by Senator Patterson and her colleagues have been delivered to executives at major utility companies, including PacifiCorp, PGE, NW Natural, Idaho Power, and Cascade Natural Gas, urging them to independently consider policies that would aid affected customers through the shutdown's duration. It's a clear call to prioritize humanity over profit, a plea for compassion in an hour when the gears of government grind slowly, leaving many to feel the cold encroachment of an indifferent winter.
