I am honored to serve once again as a Deputy Majority Leader for House Democrats. I will breakdown of why this role is important in our democratic process.
A brand-new state program stands to help thousands of people pay back part of their student loan debt. There are strict requirements to determine eligibility. Please keep scrolling for those details and when you can apply!
Thousands of individuals in need will get an early Christmas present this year. I'll break down how Connecticut is canceling $30 million dollars worth of medical debt.
A wonderful philanthropist and musician joined my weekly radio show to discuss a benefit concert for Covenant Soup Kitchen. You can listen to the show below!
Here are the sections in today's email:
House Leadership Appointment
Student Loan Forgiveness Program Starts Soon
Let's Talk About It: Soup Kitchen Benefit Concert
Medical Debt Relief
House Leadership Appointment
House Majority Leader Jason Rojas has announced that I will serve as a Deputy Speaker once again in 2025. I am grateful that he is entrusting me with this incredible responsibility.
As a Deputy Speaker, I will play a key role in advancing the priorities of the House Democrats' Caucus while fostering collaboration and bipartisanship to best serve the people of Connecticut. The team of deputies comes from communities across the state, representing towns and cities, big and small.
“A veteran legislator, Rep. Johnson has a deep knowledge and understanding of human services, health insurance, and education policy,” Majority Leader Rojas said. "Her advocacy for her community and other socio-economically disadvantaged municipalities, both urban and rural, position her as a highly respected leader in the House with intimate knowledge of the issues our state faces. I am pleased she is a part of this team."
I am so appreciative of Majority Leader Rojas’ kind words and am honored to serve with a great team of Deputy Majority Leaders.
The 2025 legislative session begins on January 8, 2025, and we are eager to continue our work on behalf of the residents of Connecticut.
Student Loan Forgiveness Program Starts Soon
Starting January 1, Connecticut college students will be able to benefit from a bill we passed to alleviate student loan debt. The reimbursement program, led by House Democrats and the first of its kind in the nation, provides up to $5,000/year for up to four years (up to $20,000) in loan forgiveness. Six million dollars has been allocated in the current budget cycle and will be awarded on a first-come, first-served basis.
The Office of Higher Education (OHE) may approve the participation of any person in the student loan reimbursement program who meets the following requirements:
Must have graduated from a public or private college or university in Connecticut with a bachelor’s or associate degree or have an occupational/professional license or certificate or left such college in good standing and was granted a hardship waiver by the Office of Higher Education
Must be a Connecticut resident for at least five consecutive years
Must have an income below $125,000 if filing single in 2023
Must have an income below $175,000 if filing married in 2023
Must have made payments towards student loans
Must have 50 hours of volunteering time after January 1, 2024
This program represents a true bipartisan effort and will have a direct impact not only on Connecticut’s economy but also on its workforce.
Questions should be directed to OHE.SLRP@CT.GOV. The application process opens on January 1.
We spoke with musician David Foster about his benefit concert on my weekly radio show “Let’s Talk About It.” Foster and the Shaboo All-Stars performed at the Fine Arts Instructional Center at Eastern Connecticut State University this past Sunday. All proceeds benefit the Covenant Soup Kitchen, which provides food and care to individual and families in need especially during the holiday season.
The concert featured an incredible lineup of guest artists, including James Montgomery, John Cafferty, Steve Gaspar, Jeff Pitchell, and more. Please click on the video below to listen to the entire show.
Musician David Foster promotes his benefit concert in Windham.
Medical Debt Relief
More than 22,000 residents of Connecticut can expect some or all their medical debt to be eliminated, thanks to a major state initiative in partnership with the national nonprofit organization Undue Medical Debt.
Residents do not need to apply for this medical debt relief, nor can they request it. Those whose debts have been identified for relief will receive a branded letter from Undue Medical Debt detailing which debts have been eliminated. These letters will be sent out through the U.S. mail, starting December 23, 2024.
Click HERE to view a sample of the letter recipients will soon receive in the mail.
Undue Medical Debt collaborates with state and local governments to leverage public investments, negotiating with hospitals and other providers to eliminate large, bundled portfolios of qualifying medical debt. This initiative specifically targets patients whose income is at or below four times (400%) the federal poverty level, or who have medical debt that constitutes 5% or more of their income. Because these medical debts are acquired in bulk and pertain to individuals who are least able to pay, they can be purchased at a fraction of their face value.
In this initial round, the state allocated approximately $100,000 from its share of the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding. With this investment, Undue Medical Debt successfully negotiated with a secondary market partner, such as a collections agency, and a national provider to acquire approximately $30 million in qualifying medical debt for Connecticut residents.
