Bob Godfrey

As a homeowner, I wince when the monthly electric bill arrives. While rates are scheduled to go down this summer, I'm watching a more long-term approach to the costs of electricity.

April 22 is Earth Day. Ever wonder how Earth Day began? The first Earth Day was held on April 22, 1970, when San Francisco activist John McConnell and Wisconsin Senator Gaylord Nelson separately asked Americans to join in a grassroots demonstration. Dealing with dangerously serious issues concerning toxic drinking water, air pollution, and the effects of pesticides, an impressive 20 million Americans—10% of the population—ventured outdoors and protested together.

One of my favorite activities is working with young people on the workings of the General Assembly. Among them are the interns that serve my colleagues every year, under the direction of Angie Waszkiewicz. They are college students, and get significant academic credits for their participation.

Great news for Danbury! During their meeting on April 6, the State Bond Commission approved $510,761 for Danbury Hackerspace, Inc. The funding will be used for the construction of a second location in the former Crown Plaza Hotel in Danbury.

I was proud to welcome Danbury's Youth & Government Team to the state Capitol.

Tax filing season is upon us. As you prepare to file, I urge you to be mindful of potential scams. The IRS produces a list of "dirty dozen" tax scams. While these scams can occur year-round, they tend to increase during this time of the year. It’s wise to stay on top of the latest list of common issues—and take some simple steps to stay safe from them.

Governor Ned Lamont announced that the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) will extend the coverage period for households receiving deliverable fuel assistance under the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) during the 2022-2023 winter season to March 31, 2023. The original deadline to receive fuel deliveries this winter season was March 15, 2023.

There will be changes for some of our most vulnerable individuals and families who are on Medicaid. Starting on April 1, the COVID-19 public health emergency protection will be coming to an end. Medicaid enrollees who were continuously covered will again have to provide proof of eligibility to continue getting benefits.