State Capitol Update for the Week of April 9
April 9, 2026
Dear Neighbor,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of April 9.
Click the image below to view my video on this week’s events.
Now that the committee process is complete, the General Assembly has shifted into full debate in the House and Senate chambers. My colleagues in the House and I have several legislative priorities, including expanding absentee voting access and modernizing election administration (HB 5001). We will also consider a comprehensive education bill to adjust school funding formulas, strengthen special education services, and expand access to early childhood programs (HB 5002).
In addition, a workforce development proposal aims to support job growth and improve working conditions across the state (HB 5003). As the session progresses, we will continue debating these key proposals and considering their impact on Connecticut residents and communities.
As always, please don’t hesitate to contact my office with any questions, concerns, or issues that are important to you.
Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- "Bear Aware” This Spring. Click here.
- DSS to Host Rural Health Transformation Program Webinar. Click here.
- ICYMI -Free Tax Resources. Click here.
- Northwest Corner Events. Click here.
The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection is urging residents to be “bear aware” this spring as black bear activity increases and human-bear conflicts continue to rise across the state. Recent data show bears entered homes in 18 municipalities in 2025, driven largely by access to human food sources like birdfeeders and unsecured trash.
Residents are encouraged to take simple preventative steps—such as removing birdfeeders, securing garbage, and avoiding outdoor food sources—to reduce risks to both public safety and wildlife. State law also prohibits the intentional feeding of bears, reinforcing the importance of community-wide efforts to safely coexist with Connecticut’s growing bear population.
DSS to Host Rural Health Transformation Program Webinar
The Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) will hold a webinar on the Rural Health Transformation Program (RHTP). The session will provide updates on the initiative and offer an opportunity for community members to engage directly with the RHTP team.
The webinar will take place on Monday, April 13 at 12:00 PM via Microsoft Teams and will include a presentation followed by a Q&A session. Stakeholders are encouraged to register in advance to receive the access link.
Click here to learn more about the program.
The tax filing deadline is next Wednesday, April 15. There are several free resources available this year for anyone who needs to file state and federal taxes.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help for low-to moderate-income (under $58,000) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Volunteers, sponsored by various organizations, receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. Visit Connecticut's 2-1-1 website and the Free Tax Help page for VITA assistance updates, or visit the IRS Site Locator.
AARP's Tax-Aide Program, a partnership between the AARP Foundation and the Internal Revenue Service, provides free tax counseling and preparation services to middle-and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to people age 60 and older. Many sites will e-file your federal and Connecticut returns at no cost to you. Visit the AARP Tax-Aide Site Locator to find a location near you.
The UConn Law School Tax Clinic is a pro bono (free) legal clinic that provides free legal help to low-income taxpayers with tax problems, either with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Lisa Perkins, Clinical Professor & Director, and law students will work on your case. The Tax Clinic also works with attorneys in Connecticut who volunteer to help low-income taxpayers pro bono. The Tax Clinic is independent and separate from the IRS and DRS. It is important to note, that the UCONN tax clinic is only able to assist individual taxpayers with Connecticut income tax problems. Contact Lisa Perkins at lisa.perkins@uconn.edu or 860-570-5165.
Spaces are filling up fast, so ff you are interested, please register as soon as possible.
Crescendo will present “Stepping into Song” this April, featuring the U.S. premiere of internationally renowned composer Martín Palmeri’s A Jewish Cantata, alongside his acclaimed Misa a Buenos Aires (Misatango). The performances, conducted in part by Palmeri himself, bring together a large collaborative ensemble of musicians and vocalists for a unique cross-cultural experience blending sacred choral traditions with tango influences.
The program also includes community tango workshops and will take place April 25 in Lakeville, CT and April 26 in Great Barrington, MA. This event highlights regional arts collaboration and is supported in part by the Connecticut Office of the Arts.
ICYMI
Crescendo – Lakeville's Chorus and Music
Crescendo will conclude the second half of its 22nd season with a series of spring performances and community events across the region. Highlights include:
• Tango workshops beginning March 28, with additional sessions on April 10 & 11
• Two choral concerts featuring tango-style repertoire, including two U.S. premieres, on April 25 & 26
• “Baroque Brilliance: Bach’s Motets” concerts on May 30 & 31
• A solo harpsichord recital honoring Wanda Landowska on June 13
A limited number of free tickets are available for community members upon request. They can be requested by writing to crescendo@crescendomusic.org.
The annual Shane Kinsella Memorial Run/Walk will be held on April 25. This year’s event features a 5K run and a 2-mile walk, with a kids’ run at 10:15 AM and the main race kicking off at 11:00 AM.
Proceeds support the SMK Fund, which helps local children participate in sports, attend camps, and access other enriching opportunities.
Click here to learn more.
The 41st annual Sharon Classic Road Race will be held on Saturday, May 2. This race features a 5.3-mile run/walk, plus kids’ races, and a lively family festival. Festivities begin at 9:00 AM. Proceeds support the Sharon Day Care Center.
Click here to learn more and register.
Click here or the flyer above to register.
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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.
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Sincerely,
Maria Horn
State Representative
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