Updates from State Rep. Aimee Berger-Girvalo for April 4, 2025

April 4, 2025

These are strange days.

Despite the fact that nothing that’s happening in the Federal government is normal, we have processes here in the Connecticut General Assembly that must stay on track. So, while two out of three of my own committees have hit our deadlines, (to raise bills, have hearings and vote bills out of committee,) there is so much we don’t know, particularly pertaining to how the extreme Federal funding cuts and abrupt policy changes will affect the legislative proposals we have been working on in our committees. But we carry on, business as usual.

Obviously right now we are talking about tariffs and how, by all expert accounts, these extremely high taxes – the highest rate hike in nearly 60 years - are positioned to crush our economy and increase inflation. But the velocity with which these policy actions are being implemented, albeit mostly illegally, leaves us trying to catch up with the latest news alerts, and feeling unable to focus on the previous hits we’ve taken.

They're flooding the zone.

To wit: the stock market crashed and we stopped talking about the nearly 4,000 veterans who are out of work here in Connecticut, because of the gutting of the Department of Veterans Affairs. And when that news broke we stopped talking about how the state education officials will be forced to verify that all DEI policies are gone, if they want any Federal funding for Education. And when that hit the headlines we stopped talking about the sudden cancellation of $155 million in public health grants that will decimate programs that include infectious disease management, newborn genetic screenings, and substance abuse programs.

And did that make you forget about the U.S. citizens and legal visitors who are being disappeared to foreign prisons without due process? And doesn’t it feel like weeks ago that the Department of Education was shuttered?

Every day there is something – or many somethings – new, and that means we have to pivot here, at the state level, to respond, or at least to help the people we represent understand what’s really happening.

I am hearing from so many of you about your fears, and your frustrations, as well as your priorities. We all know this year’s state budget process will be difficult. Hearing from you about your concerns over funding for Medicaid, Social Security, education, and the nonprofits that support our most vulnerable including children, seniors and veterans, is so important, so I thank each and every one of you who has reached out to advocate for yourself and others.

I will continue to be a resource, if you need help with an agency or department, and will continue to stand up for us all as we face this chaos and uncertainty together.

Distracted Driving Awareness Month

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and the CTDOT is taking a stand with the launch of a statewide Distracted Driving Awareness and Enforcement Campaign to help keep Connecticut roads safe.

In partnership with State and local law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the campaign will step up efforts to enforce distracted-driving laws for the month of April.

Nationally in 2022, 3,308 people were killed, and nearly 290,000 people were injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers. In Connecticut in 2022, the last year of verifiable data, there were 5,318 crashes attributed to distracted driving that resulted in eight fatalities and more than 787 injuries.

The CTDOT urges drivers to prioritize safety by eliminating distractions while driving. Follow these simple tips to stay safe on the road:

If you need to send or receive a text, pull over and park in a safe location before using your phone
Designate a passenger to manage calls and messages while you drive
Avoid social media use while driving—no post is worth risking your life
Do not use a vehicle’s “infotainment” screen or other portable video players while operating a motor vehicle
If you struggle to resist checking your device, enable the “Do Not Disturb” feature, silence notifications, or place your phone out of reach in the glove box or back seat until you arrive

Click here for more information on distracted driving prevention.

Tax Assistance

With the April 15 tax deadline quickly approaching, now is the time to take action if you haven’t filed yet. Connecticut residents have access to a variety of free resources to help complete both state and federal tax returns accurately and on time.

Whether you need in-person assistance, prefer online filing, or need guidance on available tax credits, these services are here to ensure you meet the deadline with less stress and confusion.

The IRS Direct File Tool is an option for anyone who lived and earned their income in Connecticut last year. You can use this resource if you have one or more of the following types of income:

W-2 (income from employer)
1099-G (unemployment compensation
SSA-1099 (Social Security benefits)
1099-R (income from employer-sponsored pension and retirement account)
1099-SA (distributions for qualified medical expenses from Health Savings Accounts)

1099-INT (interest income)

Click here to get started

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is staffed by IRS-certified volunteers who are specifically trained to help qualifying individuals including low- to moderate-income taxpayers, people with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency, prepare and file both federal and state tax returns accurately. They can assist in claiming valuable tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which can lead to a significant increase in your refund.

To access VITA services, taxpayers can visit an in-person VITA site, typically located at community centers, libraries, and nonprofit organizations. Many VITA sites also offer convenient drop-off or virtual options, allowing you to submit documents securely and have a preparer complete your return remotely.

Here are some of the eligibility requirement for VITA: