Crocuses Blooming, Tax Filing Deadline, My Visit to Avon Health Center

April 2, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

It finally happened this morning . . . the crocuses bloomed in our yard. While it continues to be chilly, I am grateful for these signs of spring as we move toward more sunlight and hopefully away from the cold temperatures.
 
To give you a sense of where we are in the legislative process, most committees have finished their JF (join favorable) deadlines, and as our clerks and assistant clerks are busy preparing JF reports for each bill, we continue working on the legislation as it came out of the committee. Notably, the two money committees, Appropriations and the Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committees, both have later deadlines, which means you will continue to see public hearings and committee meetings.

Other standing committees with hold additional meetings if bills are referred to them during the screening process. For instance, the Planning and Development Committee received five referrals yesterday, and we will discuss those (and perhaps any other referrals) next week.
 
Session days will also become more frequent as we begin to pass the bills we received public testimony on and that we debated in our committees. It’s hard to believe we are about halfway through the session already. I look forward to the mad dash to June 4th.
 
Wishing you a great week ahead,

Eleni
 

The April 15th Tax Deadline is Approaching – Don’t Wait to File!

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.

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)
 
Click here to get started
 

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 requirements 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!
 

Don’t miss out on other opportunities below to save money when filing your taxes:

Visiting Avon Health Center

This morning, I had the pleasure of touring the Avon Health Center with Russell Schwartz and Amy Pellerin.

As many of you may know, AHC is a second-generation family business with 120 beds for skilled nursing. We had a wide-ranging conversation covering the pandemic and challenges to their business post-pandemic, and how there are always capital improvements to be made at the facility.

A large portion of our conversation was dedicated to the underfunding of Medicaid. In CT, we have some of the lowest reimbursement rates in the country, and while we are committed to raising those rates (as is the Governor), we discussed the concerns we all have over what might happen at the federal level. 70% of the industry is Medicaid patients, so if there were a large gutting at the federal level, it would have a significant impact. Individual locations, like AHC, can have an even higher rate of those patients.
 
As we continue to work on the state budget, I know we will have ongoing discussions on Medicaid rates and I am glad I had time with Russell and Amy to discuss this further.
 

$30 Million for CT Home Funds Program

Here is some welcome 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
 

Our Bipartisan Women's Caucus Event

Yesterday, in our roles as co-chairs of the bipartisan women’s caucus, Representative Kathy Kennedy and I welcomed the Aurora Women and Girls Foundation for a conversation on their latest report, “Toward Equity: Investing in Women and Girls for Connecticut’s Future.

The report examines the status of women and girls during the first quarter of the 21st century; urges deeper investment in equity-driven solutions; and challenges philanthropy and policymakers to center gender and racial equity, creating a stronger, more inclusive Connecticut where everyone can thrive.
 
Some of the numbers that stood out to me yesterday:
--48% of Connecticut’s labor force is women, but they experience poverty at a greater rate than men
--only 26% of women work in STEM
--Women still make around 74 cents on the dollar to their male counterparts, and if you are a Black, Latina, or Indigenous woman, you make even less
--Connecticut is 5th in the nation for childcare costs, and 94% of childcare workers in CT are women
--One in four women will experience domestic violence in their lifetime
 
As you can see, the report is a mix of progress and challenges, and the report contains many recommendations for policymakers, which I look forward to researching more deeply. When women succeed, we all succeed. You can find their Toward Equity report HERE.
 

It's SAAM 

As we recognize April as Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM), this is a good time to point out that legislation is a powerful tool for change, turning hope into action and justice into reality for survivors of sexual violence.

Sexual Assault Awareness Month is a time to stand in solidarity with survivors and advocate for change. Through the power of legislation, we’re making progress, closing legal gaps, expanding protections, and ensuring survivors have access to resources and support.
 

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month

As part pf National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is taking a stand with the launch of a statewide Distracted Driving Awareness and Enforcement Campaign to help keep Connecticut roads safe.

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.
 

Friday: Avon Congregational Church Lasagna Dinner to Benefit Homeless in West Hartford

Avon Congregational Church's "First Friday Dinner" will be held at the church, located at 6 West Main Street in Avon, from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The cost for the lasagna dinner is $20 per person, with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the homeless in West Hartford. Please click on the image below for more details in Patch.
Image credit: Shutterstock via Patch
 

Ongoing: Avon's America 250 Logo Design Contest
 

2nd Annual Climate Change Student Poster Contest 

With Connecticut becoming one of the first states in the nation to require Climate Change studies in grades 5-12, the Climate Change Student Poster Contest is a great way for our students to stay engaged in environmental issues and raise awareness!


Your child is invited to create a poster highlighting the importance of protecting the environment and the role each of us plays in reducing climate change. Submissions will be accepted through May 1st. Judging will take place at the Capitol on May 28th.

Submissions will be accepted through May 1st. Click HERE for more contest details and a submission form.
 

Game On: Fourth Annual CGA Kickball Classic is May 12th

Yes, it's back. As captains, fellow State Representative Corey Paris (D/Stamford) and I are looking forward to leading House Democrats to their first win! Get your tickets at the Yard Goats website today.

Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative

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