Tracking Bills, Free Sources to File Your Taxes and Special Education Meeting

February 21, 2025

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Session is in full swing and there are many tools to follow what my fellow legislators and I are doing.

Click Here to find a list of the bills I introduced this session. Among my proposals are funding for school meals, refundable child tax credit, and the purchase of print and digital advertising by the state.

To obtain information about other bills, click here.

You can track bills in the Connecticut legislature using the Connecticut General Assembly website or by calling the bill status information room. 

To track a specific bill via email, click here and sign up for notifications.

To track a bill status by phone, call the information room at 860-240-0555 during the legislative session. Call the Connecticut State Library at 860-757-6550 at the end of sessions or between sessions.


 
There is plenty to get to in the email below, keep scrolling for more on: 
  • Free Sources to File Your Taxes
  • Students Can Apply to Join CT Board of Education
  • Community Events
 
Free Sources to File Your Taxes
There are several free resources available this year for anyone who needs to file state and federal taxes.

You can use the IRS Direct File Tool, which is a new option for anyone who lived and earned all their income in Connecticut last year.
 


 
Click Here for more Information on IRS Direct File Tool
 
The federal government is also offering the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers free tax preparation services to eligible taxpayers. Here is some of the eligibility date 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
 
Don’t miss out on this opportunity to save money when filing your taxes!
 
 
Students Can Apply To Join CT Board of Education
Do you know of a public school student who wants to participate in statewide education policy? If so, please encourage them to apply now to potentially serve on the Connecticut State Board of Education! The selected students, who will soon enter their senior year, will serve a one-year term, beginning July 1, 2025.

Take a look at the graphic below for application requirements.


 
The governor will appoint two public school students who will lend an important perspective to deliberations on the State Board of Education. The selected students will not have voting privileges.
  
Participants must complete their application, and it must be received by mail or email by Monday, March 17.
 
Click Here to learn more and apply
 
Community Events
Special education services are essential to ensuring every child receives the support they need to thrive.  You are invited to learn how my colleagues and I are trying to improve those services at a meeting on Tuesday, February 25th at East Windsor High School Auditorium in East Windsor.

I will join State Rep. Jaime Foster, State Rep. Maryam Kahn, and State Rep. Carol Hall as we share more information on House Bill 5001, which:
  • Incentivizes educating children in-district or regionally
  • Makes special education student counts a factor in the ECS formula
  • Recruits and retains more special education teachers and staff
  • Strengthens parent/educator communication and education
As a parent or a student advocating for your own needs, this is your chance to share your experiences, concerns, and priorities directly with state leaders. Your input is crucial in helping shape policies that will directly impact special education funding and services in our schools and communities.

FACEBOOK EVENT LINK - https://www.facebook.com/events/631959459380140

We look forward to hearing your voice!
 
Click Here to Follow Bill HB 5001
 
The Rockville High School MTC is presenting: The Addams Family, A Musical Comedy from February 27th through March 2nd.
 
To buy tickets Click Here.

** Tickets for the friends and family preview show on Thursday February 27 will be available via private invitation from cast/crew members ONLY.