Legislative Update 1.30

January 30, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

I hope this first newsletter finds you well...

I understand there is a lot of uncertainty, anxiety, and concern over the recent attempt by the federal government to pause non-defense and Social Security spending, while also ramping up arrests of immigrants in our communities. What I can say for sure is my colleagues and I will continue to fight to improve the lives of the residents of the 37th District and the state.

To that end, please scroll down and learn more about your rights and what we are doing at the Capitol this legislative session, as well as other news updates, and alerts I think you find useful.

Enjoy,

Nick

Around The Capitol

Increasing Medicaid Reimbursement Rates

We understand what's going on nationally, but we can't stop doing our jobs for the people of Connecticut and that starts with putting forward good public policy. This week, House and Senate Democrats announced a legislative proposal to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers, which is long overdue.

A recent state Medicaid Rate Study found that Connecticut lags well behind peer states when paying providers under Connecticut’s Medicaid program. Many areas of care are currently reimbursed at the same levels they were in 2007. Increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates is a worthy investment, and that’s the type of good work we’re going to keep doing here.

Knowing Your Rights

Some communities are understandably on edge with reports of immigration enforcement that have surfaced around Connecticut. Regardless of your immigration status, you have guaranteed rights under the Constitution.

The ACLU of Connecticut has prepared a comprehensive Immigrants' Rights & Resources Guide below. Learn more about your rights as an immigrant if ICE Agents approach you.

Resource Guide

The Connecticut State Department of Education also released Guidance for K-12 Public Schools "Pertaining To Immigration Activities."

Feeding CT Caucus Launches

I joined fellow legislators at a press conference this week to announce the launch of the bipartisan Feeding CT Caucus.

The purpose of the caucus is to advocate for the appropriation of more dollars to attack head-on the fact that one in eight residents (468,150) struggle with hunger in Connecticut according to Feeding America. Also, more than 112,000, including one in six children, are food insecure.

The Feeding CT Caucus will be requesting $10 million for the CT-Nutrition Assistance Program (CT-NAP), which provides fresh food to Connecticut Foodshare, food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency shelters across the state. Additionally, 15% of the funds would be utilized to purchase produce and other products from Connecticut farmers.

In Support of HB5986: To Establish A Refundable Child Tax Credit Tax Credit

With nearly 40% of Connecticut families unable to make ends meet, HB5986 will benefit 550,000 children in the state. That's why I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this legislation and joined many others in support of the bill at a press conference this week. The list of co-sponsors are below.

Connecticut is the only high-cost-of-living state with a broad-based personal income tax that does not adjust for the number of children or childcare expenses. HB5986 establishes a permanent refundable child tax credit against the personal income tax for up to three children, for $600 per child, for tax filers with a federal adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less for single filers or $200,000 or less for married individuals filing jointly. For every $1 in child tax credits, a family spends $1.38 in the local economy.

Survivor Benefits Enhanced

This legislation was inspired by the tragic line-of-duty deaths last year of two Connecticut state employees, including a trooper from the Connecticut State Police and an employee from the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Because of their ages and years of service, neither of those state employees were eligible to receive pensions at the time of their deaths. The change ratified by the legislature today means that both surviving families in those instances will begin receiving survivor benefits, based on their eligibility circumstances.

This change will also apply to all future situations in which a state employee who was not eligible to receive a pension is killed in the line of duty.

Reminder: Student Loan Reimbursement Program

Connecticut college students can benefit from a bill 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 Connecticut state public or private college or university 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 CT resident for at least five years.
Must have a Connecticut adjusted gross income of not more than $125,000 for single applicants and file a federal tax return as unmarried or have a Connecticut adjusted gross income of not more than $175,000 for married applicants and file a federal tax return as head of household, married filing jointly or a surviving spouse.
Must have an outstanding student loan balance and have made payments in 2024 toward federal direct loans, federal direct PLUS loans, federal Perkins loans, CHESLA loans, other state-sponsored student loans, or a private student loan.
Must have volunteered for at least 50 hours at a Connecticut nonprofit organization registered with the Department of Consumer Protection, municipal government, served on the Board of Directors for a nonprofit organization, or has military service after January 1, 2024.

To find several qualifying non-profits for residents of the 37th District, please click HERE.

Lastly, 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 opened on January 1. For more information, including how to apply, please click HERE.

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