Wisconsin bill aims to cap utility costs at 2% of income for families

MADISON (WKOW) — State legislators introduced a bill Tuesday that would cap the cost of utilities for Wisconsin families.

The legislation would create a permanent change that would cap costs at 2% of a person's income.

Democratic legislators who introduced the bill said households are paying up to 20% of their income currently.

Rep. Francesca Hong (D-Madison) called the legislation common sense.

"This bill is going to lower energy payments for hundreds of thousands of Wisconsinites and ensure that no one ever has their power or heat shut off simply because they cannot afford it," Hong said.

Jane Sexton, of Wausau, is one person who supports the cap. She has a fixed income, and said every month she has to choose between paying her utility bills or filling her prescriptions.

"Families