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| On Wednesday, I held a press conference with state college students on increasing funding for higher education. |
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We in the General Assembly are working hard to make sure we are making the right choices to invest in public higher education. But it's the voices of the students -- some 50 of whom from state and community colleges attended the press conference -- who are most impacted that are the most important in these debates. They highlighted the needs that are underfunded in our institutions.
The benefits of a college education are well documented. Over a lifetime, an individual with a college degree will earn $1.2 million more than if they don't have one. College graduates are 24 times more likely to be employed. The list goes on and on.
A chairman of the High Education Committee, I remain committed to working with my colleagues in the General Assembly to make college more affordable for everyone. Please see my comments from the press conference below. |
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| More Federal Education Cuts |
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I mentioned recently that the Education Department is laying off about 1,300 employees, which would gut its staff and begin to dismantle the entire department.
Unfortunately, that was just the start.
Last week, Education Secretary Linda McMahon, a Connecticut resident, announced a freeze of $14 million - including $54,561 for Mansfield - for academic and other programs in Connecticut's schools. Much of this money was already awarded to schools, while the rest was to be disbursed by our state's Department of Education.
And just two days ago, Secretary McMahon threatened to withhold federal funding from public schools that don't eliminate programs that promote diversity, equity, and inclusion.
A large portion of the federal government's public school funding goes toward Title I, which provides assistance to school districts with low-income students. So not only is the Education Department issuing vague threats against "DEI programs" - they seem to be actively targeting our most vulnerable students.
I'll continue to advocate for our students, especially when the future of their education is at stake.
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Big news from the Connecticut Department of Housing!
Introducing CT Home Funds - an investment in:
 The Connecticut Home Improvement Program
The Time to Own – Rehabilitation Program
The Homeownership Construction Program
Administered by Capital for Change and the Housing Development Fund. Learn more about the new launch here: https://shorturl.at/b86p9 |
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| Distracted Driving Awareness Month |
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April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month and the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) has launched a statewide distracted Driving Awareness and Enforcement Campaign to 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. |
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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.
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With the tax deadline quickly approaching on April 15th, 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. |
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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)
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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:
- Household income less than $68,000
- If self-employed, business expenses should be less than $35,000
- No income from a rental property
CLICK HERE to book your appointment now!
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Don’t miss out on other opportunities below to save money when filing your taxes:
UConn Law Tax Clinic
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As always, please reach out to my office if you have any comments, questions or concerns.
Sincerely,
Gregg Haddad
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