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March is Women’s History Month, a time to recognize and celebrate the remarkable contributions women have made to our communities, our state, and our nation. Here in Connecticut, countless women have shaped our history through leadership, innovation, advocacy, and perseverance.
While this month offers a special opportunity to reflect, their stories deserve to be honored all year long. From historic homes and museums to landmarks connected to groundbreaking achievements and social movements, our state is rich with places that preserve and share the legacy of women who helped shape Connecticut’s past and future.
Take some time to explore these meaningful sites and learn more about the women behind them. Click here to view a list of historic landmarks across Connecticut that are deeply connected to women’s history and the stories that continue to inspire generations today.
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This week I testified in strong support of House Bills 5403 and 5206, legislation aimed at supporting volunteer firefighters and their families.
I introduced HB 5403 after realizing there was a significant gap in benefits for the spouses of fallen volunteer firefighters following the tragic loss of Plainville Firefighter Ray Moreau. Under current law, the spouse of a paid firefighter who dies in the line of duty may remain covered under that firefighter’s health insurance plan for up to five years, but that protection does not currently extend to volunteer firefighters’ families. This bill would expand the Fallen Hero Fund to include the spouses of, volunteer firefighters, Department of Correction officers, and state marshals, allowing them access to the state employee health insurance plan for five years. If this bill passes, it would ensure that Chris Moreau and other families who may face such a loss in the future have the protection they deserve.
Rep. Rochelle and I also introduced HB 5206, which would create a state income tax credit for volunteer firefighters to help support recruitment and retention in our volunteer fire departments.
Volunteer firefighters give so much to protect our communities. I will continue working hard to get these bills across the finish line to support recruitment and retention, and to ensure that families of fallen firefighters are not left worrying about where or how they will get health insurance while grieving such a tragic loss.
Thank you to Comptroller Scanlon, the Labor Committee, and the Public Safety and Security Committee for your support of these bills.
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In this week's eblast, you can read about an emergency energy assistance program, free tax prep assistance programs, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
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I also testified in front of the Transportation Committee on a bill that hits close to home for me: HB 5238 - An Act Studying Access to Parking for Home Health Care Service Providers. This bill would establish a working group to study access to parking for home health care service providers.
An under-discussed but significant barrier to home health care nurses is parking. Parking rules vary widely by town and can be difficult to find near a patient's home, forcing nurses to park several blocks away from their patients. If a situation escalates and becomes dangerous for the nurse - as we have seen tragically happen far too many times - parking close to your patient's home is a must-have, not a nice-to-have.
In addition, while companies like Amazon drive clearly marked vehicles and are not ticketed for parking on the street, our home health nurses are providing essential services and being ticketed for driving unmarked cars. This just is not right.
I believe deeply in this bill, and I encourage you to read my entire testimony to get the fuller picture of why this study is critical for our home health care nurses. |
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The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program is open now through Tuesday, March 10. This program provides a one-time grant of up to $500 to help eligible Connecticut households with electric, gas, or fuel expenses.
Increasing energy costs are a challenge for many in the state, but through this program, GPCT has helped to provide families across Connecticut with secure access to heat, power, and water.
All GPCT energy programs are available to income-eligible households making up to 75% State Median Income (SMI) gross household income. Each income-eligible household that receives a GPCT Energy Assistance Award will receive up to $500 toward a future fuel delivery or toward a past-due utility bill. For the best chance of approval, and to make full use of this once-per-12-months grant. This is the last GPCT Energy Assistance Application Cycle this season.
To learn more about eligibility requirements and application materials, go to: gpct.org/gethelp/
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There are 17 public hearings scheduled next week - please see the graphic below for the schedule. Show up, stay informed, and have your voice heard!
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With the tax deadline approaching on Wednesday, April 15, now is the time to take action if you haven’t filed yet. 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
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In last week's session, we passed legislation to strengthen and modernize Connecticut’s election laws. These reforms take important steps to protect the integrity, security, and transparency of our democratic process by:
- Safeguarding private voter data
- Requiring that ballots cast during early voting be securely stored in a voting tabulator
- Preventing individuals convicted of election-related crimes from serving as elections moderators
These updates reflect a balanced approach: expanding access to the ballot while maintaining strong safeguards to protect public trust.
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Sincerely,
Rebecca Martinez
State Representative |
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