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Last week was a tough week. Our neighbors in Somers suffered a horrific tragedy January 2t, as four siblings, between the ages of 5 and 12, died in a fast-moving house fire. Several people suffered injuries, including firefighters. The family that lived on the other side of the duplex made it out safely but also lost everything they owned.
To the grief-stricken family, friends, and community as a whole, we grieve with you. To the first responders, we are sending strength and prayers your way. To the community members, teachers, social workers, psychologists, and others who will support the community in its grieving, sending strength and prayer. We see you.
Somers, we're with you. May their memories be blessings to all who knew them and grieve.
If you would like to help the families, there are several fundraisers in the Somers area, but the Town of Somers has also established The Angel Fund to provide for the immediate and future needs of the impacted families. You can mail a check payable to the "Town of Somers Angel Fund," 619 Main Street, Somers, CT 06071. All donations are tax-deductible. More information can be found at somersct.gov |
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| Friday also marked the first anniversary of a tragedy we suffered here at the State Capitol. On January 4, 2023, we all gathered for the opening day of the session, which was full of pomp and pageantry. We celebrated with our families, maybe attended the Governor's Inaugural Ball, and prepared to get to work on January 5. We woke up to the news that we lost one of our colleagues, State Representative Quentin "Q" Williams, in a car crash on his way home to Middletown. We grieve for his family and friends, and for the bright light that left us all too soon.
The Community Foundation of Middlesex County has a fund set up in Q's name, to help his legacy live on. I you'd like to donate to "The Q Fund," click HERE. |
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I have a lot to share with you in this update, including:
- Tax Relief Measures for 2024
- Nonprofit Security Grant Program Starts Third Round
- Connecticut's Digital Equity Plan
- Presenting a Purple Heart in East Windsor
- Vernon-Rockville Girl Scout Ceremony
- Christmas Tree Pickups Begin Around the 57th District
- Ellington Youth Services Alliance/Ellington Senior Center Winter Social
- Rockville Public Library Wants Your Old Greeting Cards
- East Windsor Parks & Rec Minds in Motion Future Engineers Program Starts January 23
- January is Blood Donor Month
I hope you had a happy and safe weekend. The first winter storm of the season is now behind us!
Jaime |
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| This month's North Central News submission focuses on the upcoming Moving Beyond Implications: Research into Policy conference that takes place on January 9! To read the story in the North Central News, click HERE or click the graphic above.
If you're able to attend, we'd love to have you! RSVP at bit.ly/MBIConference |
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| In addition to the piece in the North Central News, UConn Today also profiled the upcoming conference. To read the article, click HERE or click the graphic above. I'm looking forward to Tuesday! |
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| As we look forward to the start of the 2024 session in February, I want to take a look back on what we accomplished in 2023. Below you'll find several videos highlighting the work I've done for the 57th District. I'm so proud to represent the towns of Ellington, East Windsor, and Vernon. |
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| As a result of fiscal responsibility and bipartisanship in 2023, I am pleased to announce that significant relief is on the way for many Connecticut taxpayers in 2024!
Three tax relief measures went into effect on January 1, including the largest income tax cut in state history, an increase in a tax credit aimed at the lowest-income workers, and an expansion of exemptions on certain pension and annuity earnings that will benefit the senior population.
Here's a closer look at the tax cuts, who specifically benefits, and how:
One million filers to benefit from income tax cuts
The changes enacted in 2024 will see a decrease in the two lowest rates:
- The 3% rate on the first $10,000 earned by single filers and the first $20,000 by joint filers will drop to 2%.
- The 5% rate on the next $40,000 earned by single filers and the next $80,000 by joint filers will drop to 4.5%.
The relief targets middle-class tax filers and is capped at $150,000 for single filers and $300,000 for joint filers. This is the first time that rates have been reduced in the state since the mid-1990s and it represents the largest income tax cut enacted in state history.
For more information, single filers click here. For joint filers, click here. |
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| Connecticut’s Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income workers becomes one of the largest in the U.S.
The EITC in Connecticut is increasing from 30.5% to 40% of the federal EITC and will provide an additional $44.6 million in state tax credits to the approximately 211,000 low-income filers who receive the credit. More than 95 percent of filers who receive this credit are families with children.
The Connecticut EITC is a refundable state income tax credit for the lowest income working individuals and families that mirrors the federal EITC. |
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| Expanding certain deductions for IRA distributions and pension and annuity earnings for seniors
The state budget eliminates the retirement income tax cliff by adding a phase-out for allowable pension annuity and IRA distribution deductions against the personal income tax.
Approximately 200,000 filers benefit from the currently enacted retiree exemption limits. It is estimated that with these changes, an additional 100,000 filers could benefit from the elimination of the retirement cliff via the exemption phase-out. |
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| I would like to thank all my colleagues for working diligently during the 2023 legislative session to help provide this tax relief for many of our hardest-working state residents. The three measures will reduce tax burdens on CT taxpayers by $460 million! |
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Last week, Governor Lamont announced that his administration was preparing to release up to $5 million in state grants to help nonprofit organizations in Connecticut with the costs of implementing infrastructure upgrades that improve security and safety at their facilities.
The grants come from the state’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program, which was established in 2021. The program provides financial assistance for infrastructure improvements to 501(c)(3) organizations that are at a heightened risk of being the target of a terrorist attack, hate crime, or violent act. It is administered by the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection’s Division of Emergency Management and Homeland Security (DEMHS).
This will become the third round of grants released under the program. Nonprofits seeking grants under this round must submit applications to DEMHS by March 1, 2024. Applications will be ranked and awarded based on the demonstrated need for security improvement.
Eligible nonprofits can receive a maximum of $50,000 per site. Allowable activities include security infrastructure improvements to enhance security and target hardening of eligible nonprofit buildings based on security assessments.
For more information on the program, including application materials, click HERE. |
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Some examples of equipment that can be purchased with the grants include:
- Ballistic glass
- Surveillance cameras
- Solid core doors
- Double door access
- Computer-controlled electronic locks
- Scan card systems
- Entry door buzzer systems
- Penetration-resistant vestibules
- Panic alarms
- Metal detectors
- Real-time interoperable communications and multimedia sharing infrastructure
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| I noted this in my last newsletter but want to include it again as a reminder - The application opportunity for low- and moderate-income families suffering from crumbling foundations to apply for additional remediation assistance is now open. U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney, the Capitol Region Council of Governments (CRCOG), the Connecticut Foundations Solutions Indemnity Corporation (CFSIC), and the Northeast Connecticut Council of Governments (NECCOG) launched the new Crumbling Foundation Remediation and Restoration program to help low- and moderate-income homeowners access financial assistance to repair damages caused by crumbling foundations.
Funds will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. |
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| Connecticut is expanding residents’ access to affordable, high-speed internet, devices, and training.
The draft plan – as well as executive summaries available in English and Spanish – has been published online at ct.gov/DigitalEquity. |
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I had the honor to participate in a very special ceremony Thursday night in East Windsor.
Private Anthony Boutanis was awarded a posthumous Purple Heart.
Sen. Blumenthal and Anthony's grandson Joe Janeczko who advocated for the posthumous award speculate that Private Anthony Boutanis is likely the last World War I veteran to be posthumously awarded a Purple Heart.
In his advocacy and acceptance of the Purple Heart, Joe shared that the conditions that his grandfather endured during the war are unfathomable. He survived trench foot and shrapnel wounds that resulted in the loss of his vision. Many of his fellow infantrymen lost their lives to war injuries and the flu. Nevertheless, he endured multiple duty stations as he was moved around to war fronts as an infantryman. He left one month after enlisting. By today's standards that would be very little training. He was given a wool coat and a gun according to his grandson.
Private Boutanis suffered serious injuries, but he returned home and had a family during the Great Depression. As a state representative, I was proud to represent the East Windsor community and honored to stand with Senator Blumenthal and First Selectman Bowsza as this posthumous Purple Heart was awarded. |
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| I was honored to attend the Vernon-Rockville Girl Scouts Award Ceremony Thursday night, along with the entire Vernon delegation and Congressman Joe Courtney.
The award recipients demonstrate a wonderful example of commitment, dedication, and service to the community. Congratulations to the following award recipients:
Bronze Award
Troop 10706
Molly Cook
Sofia White
Audra Williams
Troop 10738
Julie Cha
Silver Award
Troop 10709
Leah Cha
Leah Pauga
Ava Traska
Gold Award
Troop 10730
Clarissa R. Halpryn
Lillian Alice Westerberg |
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| The EYS Alliance is excited to be hosting and collaborating with the Ellington Senior Center for this fun intergenerational event with games and pizza on January 8! Seniors aged 55+ are welcome to attend the Winter Social. Please sign up in advance: in person, at 860-870-3133, or on MyActiveCenter. |
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| Ellington's curbside pickup of Christmas trees will take place the second week of January (1/8-1/12) - trees must be placed curbside, butt-end out, free of any ornamentation, on your normal trash pickup day. Residents can also drop off trees at the Recycling Center during regular operating hours. |
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| The Town of Vernon Public Works Department will collect Christmas trees through Jan. 19. You can leave your tree at the curb, and it will be collected on your regular refuse day.
Decorations, tinsel, and plastic bags MUST BE REMOVED.
You can also take your Christmas tree to the Transfer Station during all of January. No permit or punch card is required. |
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| Rockville Public Library has a request - the staff wants your old greeting cards! This is a great opportunity to declutter, too. The cards can even be used already (they'll just use the fronts of the cards). Drop off at the RPL Children's Department desk. |
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| National Blood Donor Month, celebrated every January, provides an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of blood donation and to honor those who have already made a life-saving contribution. This month-long observation serves as a reminder of the impact each of us can make by becoming a blood donor or supporting blood donation initiatives.
I want to encourage you to consider becoming a blood donor if you haven't already. Your generosity can help ensure that hospitals and healthcare facilities have an adequate supply of blood to meet the needs of patients in our community and beyond. You can visit the American Red Cross website to find a blood donation center or mobile blood drive near you. |
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| The Tolland Agricultural Center is excited to offer two $500 scholarships to graduating high school students or current college students!
Who Can Apply: Eligible students must be a senior in high school who has been accepted to a college, university, or technical school program, or a current college student with plans of study in Agriculture, Technical Education, or Family Studies related fields. Applicants must be a 4-H member, AgEd Student, Technical Education student, or Family Studies student in Tolland County, CT.
How to Apply: Applicants must provide a completed application, two letters of recommendation, a Transcript of grades, and an essay of no more than 300 words explaining your plans to major in a field related to Agriculture, Technical Education, or Family Studies and what you plan to do with this education after graduation.
The application due date is April 1, 2024.
Click HERE for more information and the application. |
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Are you ready to take the next step in your career and join the highly skilled workforce with the Connecticut State Building Trades?
Don't miss out on the opportunity to be part of the Connecticut State Building Trades Training Institute's Union Apprenticeship Readiness Program! Designed to equip individuals with the necessary knowledge, skills, and readiness for a successful apprenticeship, this program is the stepping stone you need to jumpstart your career in the trades!
Secure your spot and take the first step towards a good-paying, stable career in the construction industry. Spaces are limited, sign up now! |
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