State Capitol Update For The Week Of February 24

February 28, 2020

As the schedule accelerates in Hartford, I’m aware as much of what occupies my time (in the last week, judicial confirmations and hearings in Appropriations, for example) as of the many events, both in Hartford and in the district, that I am missing.

To give you a snapshot of my day on Thursday, I started off at Provisions, the coffee shop at The White Hart Inn in Salisbury, where I had a couple of morning meetings, including an incredibly productive and helpful conversation with Brian Bartram, Manager of the Salisbury/Sharon Transfer Station, and Barbara Bettigole, a longtime member of the Salisbury/Sharon Transfer Station Advisory Committee, about solid waste and recycling. Their long experience in this area is evident, and I learned a lot about what kind of policies might actually work to get everyone moving in the same direction: reducing the amount of solid waste and making recycling more effective and less costly. I’m looking forward to continuing working together with them and others on those critical issues this session and beyond.

I headed to Hartford around midday, barely in time to attend a work session with Commissioner James Rovella of the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) about changes to their budget this year. After that, I attended a meeting with the Office of Fiscal Analysis on a recent arbitration award we will vote on in Appropriations on Friday. Arbitration awards such as this one, which proposes contractual terms for a group of employees at the Department of Children and Families, get an up or down vote from Appropriations, then move to the full legislature, but can only be rejected by a two-thirds vote of both chambers.

While attending these meetings, I missed the chance to catch up with a couple of my favorite non-profits who were in the capitol for Non-Profit Week. Both McCall Center for Behavioral Health and The Arc of Litchfield County (LARC) were in the concourse between the Legislative Office Building (the “LOB”) and the Capitol showcasing their work, but by the time I made it down to the concourse to see them, they had all packed up their tables and gone home (it was very late in the day). I hope they both, as well as all the other non-profits, had a great day – I was very sorry to miss you!

Coronavirus Preparedness Efforts

Although the coronavirus impact on Connecticut has been minimal to date, Governor Lamont and the state are actively working on our preparedness for any eventuality.

The governor recently provided an update on ongoing coordination efforts with the Connecticut Department of Health (DPH), the federal government, local and other authorities.
Follow THIS LINK for more information and guidance on what is being done and what you can do to keep updated on this important issue.

As always, please feel free to contact me at the capitol if you have any questions or concerns.

Tax Exemption on Social Security

When I finally convinced my mother to move to Connecticut from Ohio, I discovered that, unlike Ohio, Connecticut taxed Social Security benefits, which was a blow to her finances. Since then I’ve heard from residents throughout the district about this issue, and the high cost of living for seniors. That is why I'm particularly proud that last year the legislature included a tax exemption for Social Security income and phased in a tax exemption on pension income in the state budget.

How does it work? The state Department of Revenue Services recently released guidelines on what this exemption means for filers and how they can apply it. Read it here.

If you are interested in additional help, follow these links to find a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program or AARP location near you.

District Events

Events in the district were much more varied, luckily for me, and included a photography exhibit, and a delicious pancake breakfast.

I was glad to have the opportunity to partake in several of the activities at the "Weekend in Norfolk" event. One exhibit I particularly enjoyed was a collection of Marie Hartig Kendall photographs at the Norfolk Historical Society. Kendall was a pioneering photographer who documented Norfolk around the turn of the 20th century. She exhibited her work at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago in 1893 and won an award for her technical ability and artistic expression. Her stunning landscapes, farm scenes, and family portraits will remain on display until April, so there’s still time to catch the exhibit.

Upcoming events

  • Tuesday, March 3 at 5:30 pm: Join me at Noble Horizons, 17 Cobble Road, Salisbury, for a Community Conversation about upcoming issues this session.
  • Wednesday, March 4 at 5:30: The Annual Meeting and Dinner of the Northwest CT YMCA at Crystal Peak in Torrington
  • Friday, March 6 from 12:00 – 1:15 pm: join me for a Prescription Drug Roundtable with Senator Chris Murphy at McCall Center for Behavioral Health, Carnes Weeks Center, 58 High Street, Torrington. Please RSVP to Zach_Dendas@murphy.senate.gov
  • Sunday March 8 from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm: Brunch to benefit Habitat for Humanity at the Interlaken Inn, 74 Interlaken Road in Lakeville. Adults tickets are $19.96 , children 10 and under are $10, kids under 4 are free, and staff or volunteers get a 40% discount. Click here to RSVP.
  • Tuesday, March 10 at 12:00 pm: Ain't I a Woman, a musical production at Northwestern CT Community College in Winsted, celebrates the life and times of four powerful African American Women: Zora Neal Hurston, Sojourner Truth, Clementine Hunter, and Fannie Lou Hamer. It’s at Founders Hall Auditorium, and its free and open to the public.
  • Tuesday, March 17 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm: Congresswoman Jahana Hayes’ staff will be hosting another Casework on Your Corner, assisting all residents of CT’s 5th District with any federal agency issues, at the David M. Hunt Library in Falls Village.

It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about. You can email me at maria.horn@cga.ct.gov or call me at 860-240-8585. Thanks for reading, and I wish you a safe weekend.