Water rates have been rising steadily in recent years, making it increasingly difficult for low-income families to afford their bills. This trend could be amplified by COVID-19-related financial hardships and even lead to widespread service shut-offs. Some members of Congress have made providing aid to low-income families to help pay water bills a COVID-19 relief priority, for example with a proposal that supplements the longstanding Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program, a federal grant program providing energy and heating bill assistance. Please join us for a panel discussion to explore the merits and shortfalls of a federal water assistance program, discuss the prospects for bipartisan action in Congress, and consider other critical water-related needs in this moment of crisis.
Featured Participants
Laurel Firestone ● Board Member, California State Water Resources Control Board
Mae Stevens● Executive Vice President, Signal Group
Manny Teodoro● Associate Professor, Texas A&M University
