Not the whole story
The front-page article regarding the shutdown of area fuel assistance (“Amid government shutdown, Community Action fuel assistance limited to emergencies only,” Gazette, Nov. 5) did mention that HEAP is tied in to the federal government shutdown. It also mentioned that the most recent vote to reopen the government was voted down, including two negative votes by our Massachusetts senators. A potentially inflammatory statement to those that haven’t heard “the rest of the story.” Lev BenEzra suggests people call their legislators to let them know they need assistance to pay for heat. Our senators are fully aware of the cost of the government shutdown. The reason that Elizabeth Warren and Ed Markey voted against reopening the government is because Democrats (and people with a conscience) are asking the federal government to maintain the tax subsidies for ACA health care to remain affordable. The increase in health care has/will affect millions. Stating why our senators voted the way they did is, and should be, publicly acknowledged news. Health insurance, SNAP, heating, are all victims of the current administration. That is not an opinion. That is a fact!
Terry Sprecker
West Hatfield