AUGUSTA (AP) – Gov. John Baldacci said Thursday he is urging other governors in the Northeast to call on members of Congress who have voted against increased heating assistance funding to reconsider their opposition.

Baldacci said the federal government should do more to help Maine’s low-income residents pay home heating bills this winter.

In a letter to other governors in the Northeast, Baldacci wrote that the region faces a major challenge this winter with heating fuel prices at record highs.

The challenge is made more difficult, he said, with Congress’ refusal to increase funding for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, or LIHEAP, which gives low-income households money to help pay their heating bills.

“The elderly, the disabled and the working poor who are our neighbors face the frightening prospect of entering winter with too little heating fuel and unable to secure what they need to be safe and warm,” Baldacci wrote in his letter. “They need our concerted efforts to assure that no one will freeze this winter.”

Baldacci made his letter public Thursday at a news conference with U.S. Reps. Tom Allen and Michael Michaud and legislative leaders to discuss LIHEAP funding issues.