It is July, but instead of focusing on the temperature of the local lake or the next Sox game, many Vermonters are instead thinking about the next winter. With the skyrocketing prices of basic goods, the concerns many Vermonters have about affording necessities are all too legitimate.

No Vermonter has been able to escape the steady climb of food and fuel prices over the past several months and with the cold winter season on the horizon there is reason for worry.

Vermont legislators face the same price increases, and as we hear more and more troubling stories from constituents, such as the elderly gentleman down the road who is anxious about the choice he will soon face between his prescription medication and heating his home, our concerns are growing.

It is no wonder that these sorts of stories are becoming more common.

The average cost of a bag of flour in 2005 was $1.89, the current price is $2.79. Fuel oil has seen an even more impressive price increase with the average price of a gallon of gas at this time last year costing, compared to the average $4 a gallon Vermonters are paying today. The average cost of heating oil has risen 88 percent between 2007 and 2008.

Charitable organizations are being stressed to the limit with the Vermont Foodbank now serving one in ten Vermonters and food stamp participation reaching an all time high. The Agency of Transportation has received an unprecedented number of calls from Vermonters seeking alternative methods of transportation as they can no longer afford to drive to work. And many local fuel dealers are no longer offering their customers pre-buy agreements as they too struggle with the high cost of purchasing the heating oil they sell.

Anticipating an increase in heating costs, the legislature took action this year to help working Vermonters better weather the storm. Even in this difficult budget year, with decreased revenues and increased demand for state services, the legislature fully funded the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

And though Gov. Douglas vetoed critical legislation that would have lowered Vermonters' heating bills this winter, the Legislature continued to work for the passage of a bill that will eventually lower fuel bills for working Vermont families and businesses. In 2008 the Legislature successfully passed a bill to help Vermonters better weatherize their homes and save money.

These long-term solutions are important for the continued viability of our economy and our future generations. But the rapidly increasing price of food and fuel will affect Vermonters in the short term and not just those in lower income brackets. Recognizing the severity of this crisis, Speaker Symington asked the Joint Fiscal Committee to assess what programs the state has in place to respond to these challenges and whether they can be accelerated. The Committee will meet again at the end of July to discuss further ideas for how this crisis can be solved. During this challenging time, no idea is off the table, and we have so far heard interesting ideas such as the creation of energy banks, which operating like food banks, and would store energy for those in need.

As both legislators and Vermonters, we are painfully aware of the difficult choices that Vermonters are being forced to make. No Vermonter should have to choose between medication and food or between heating their home and feeding their family. Vermonters have a history of ingenuity and of overcoming difficult challenges with innovative solutions. The steady climb of basic commodity prices presents us with a daunting challenge, yet we are confident that by drawing on our strengths we will overcome this crisis. In short, we won't stop working for you until, together, we find concrete and innovative solutions to help working Vermonters confront this crisis.

Tony Klein, D-East Montpelier, is chairman of House Natural Resources and Energy Committee. Martha Heath, D-Westford, is chairman of the House Appropriations Committee.