Add the cost of home heating to the growing list of possible economic crises in New York.

State Assembly Energy Committee chair Kevin Cahill, an Ulster County Democrat, has been touring the state to warn of the impending hardships that will be faced by working families and senior citizens because of rising energy prices. He and other Assembly leaders are pushing a bill that would increase the amount of state money available for the Home Energy Assistance Program (HEAP) and raise the eligibility threshold.

They know it will cost more money - about $800 million more, said Cahill during a Rochester stop today. They figure they can get it if they tax large oil companies' profits. After all, the companies have been experiencing record profits while Larry Leadfoot watches the cost of gas climb ever skyward. And the bill contains a provision, via fines, to keep the companies from passing on the tax, Cahill said.

It's clear that Cahill and other Assembly members - he was joined today by local Dems Susan John and Joe Morelle - are trying to pressure the Senate to adopt the plan, preferably at the upcoming August 19 special session of the State Legislature.

The plan's got some influential backing. AARP officials have been speaking in favor of the legislation. NYPIRG, too, is a fan.

"More people are going to need help, so the state's going to have to spend more money," said NYPIRG's Blair Horner.