Taiesha S. Davis-Rice, Philadelphia
A 7.0 earthquake hits the poorest nation in the western hemisphere, and the cover of the Daily News is about Conan O'Brien's future on the "Tonight Show"? Are you kidding me?
In fact, the other three stories highlighted on the cover are about Hollywood gossip (Cybill's son), TV (3-D!) and sports (Sixers). There is no mention of the quake on the cover.
Judith Dawkins, Philadelphia
A response on LIHEAP
Far from creating the "winter of disconnect" cited in your Jan. 8 editorial, the Rendell administration has made smart choices to ensure that dollars for the state's Low-Income Heating Assistance Program (LIHEAP) go as far as possible, and we can provide assistance to those who need it.
To date, over $11 million in grants have helped nearly 50,000 Philadelphia families stay warm this winter.
Last week, Gov. Rendell announced significant changes - a $100 increase in cash grants and a two-week extension in the program - that will help us keep another 60,000 low-income families warm this winter and bring needed relief to those struggling to make ends meet.
Yet your editorial suggests that the management has somehow resulted in a less-efficient program. But top-to-bottom management changes that we've made will result in more families being served by the program, not fewer, and at a time when we're operating $56 million less in federal funds than we had last year.
In previous years, the state had unspent federal funds from the prior year that were used to hire staff in mid-August to begin processing LIHEAP applications. This year, with no funds available until October, early processing wasn't possible. Despite the late start, we've processed nearly 50,000 LIHEAP cash-grant applications.
The editorial also asserts that we're merely a "pass through" for federal funds and don't really play much of a role in managing the program. But smart management decisions such as improvements in the computer systems that process applications, a streamlined application process, smarter use of crisis dollars and an expansion of the oil-discount program mean we can process applications faster and LIHEAP dollars go farther.
Because of the changes, we are processing five percent more applications every week than we did last year - the number of state families receiving aid will grow from 547,000 to 600,000. And with fuel prices down this year, grants will go farther.
We urge families in need to apply at their local county assistance office, with one of the many community organizations we partner with or online at www.compass.state.pa.us.
Linda Blanchette
Department of Public Welfare
Harrisburg, Pa.
