Legislative Update 4.7

April 7, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

This weekend, I had the opportunity to join so many of you at the "Hands Off" rally in Niantic. It was inspiring to see people in our community taking a stand for what's right. I promise that as the session continues in Hartford, I will fight for legislation aimed at supporting education funding, equal rights, the environment, and other pillars of our community the president is attacking.

The rally is not the only opportunity I have had to connect with the community recently. In this week's update I'll detail a community forum I attended, talk about women-owned businesses in East Lyme, and highlight some of my legislative priorities.

Please feel free to reach out to me with any questions or concerns you have about my work in Hartford and the changes you hope to see in the 37th District!

Sincerely,

Nick Menapace
State Representative

Around the 37th

I was proud to join so many in Niantic at the "Hands off" rally on Sunday to stand up for our rights, democracy, and future. We can’t let an anti-American wannabe autocrat and his oligarch backers trample our freedoms for their vanity and power.

If a high school student can organize this rally and get hundreds of people to show up in the rain, you can get involved, too.
Whether it’s joining Indivisible, your local Democratic Town Committee, or simply speaking out — every action matters, and if you need help getting started, I’m here.

Let’s fight back together!

Thank you to everyone who joined Senator Marx and me at our legislative community forum yesterday for East Lyme and Salem! And our Montville forum on Tuesday.

We had great conversations about everything from what’s happening in Washington to early voting, housing, the state budget, and more.
Always grateful for the chance to connect directly with the community and hear your thoughts and questions!

I was proud to celebrate Women-Owned Businesses in East Lyme during this Women’s Month in March!

There’s no better time to highlight the incredible women-owned businesses that help drive our local economy and strengthen our community! I had an amazing time on my Women’s Business Tour visiting some fantastic businesses right here in East Lyme, including:

Knitty Gritty Yarn Girl
– A cozy haven for yarn lovers and crafters!
Pinspiration East Lyme
– A DIY crafting studio that brings creativity to life.
Smith's Acres LLC
– A beautiful greenhouse and garden center filled with fresh plants and local goods. Also, the featured location of the Niantic Winter Farmers Market!
La Belle Aurore
– A farm-to-table restaurant serving delicious, locally sourced meals. I am especially a fan of their Sunday Brunch!

Small businesses are the backbone of our local economy and state. They create jobs, foster innovation, and build strong communities. Supporting them means investing in our neighbors and ensuring a vibrant future for Connecticut.

Regardless of the month, let’s show extra appreciation for women entrepreneurs and their incredible contributions! Do you have a favorite women-owned business in our area?

My Latest op-ed? Now is the Right Time to Adjust Connecticut's Fiscal Controls

Connecticut’s fiscal guardrails have helped stabilize our economy. Still, as we look to the future, we must make savvy adjustments that allow responsible investments in our state’s people and infrastructure.

I’m proud to join my colleagues in pushing for a balanced approach that keeps us on solid financial footing while ensuring we meet the needs of our communities.

Our commitment to these responsible investments should instill confidence in the proposed changes.

Read more in my latest op-ed in CT Examiner by clicking on the image below:

Photo credit CT Examiner

Studying the Impact of Data Centers

(Photo credit: Peter Houppi,The Day)

The proposed data center at Millstone is on a lot of people’s minds, and I’m happy to share that SB 1292 is moving forward in the Energy & Technology Committee.

This bill aims to set the standard for Connecticut's entire data center industry by ensuring we carefully study their impacts and implement responsible policies moving forward. Read more in The Day HERE.

Getting Real on the Real Stroty

I had the opportunity to sit down on Real Talk with FOX61 to discuss some of the essential work we’re doing in the Government Administration & Elections Committee (GAE), including efforts regarding Ranked Choice Voting and the voters' desire for No-Excuse Absentee Ballots.

Making our elections more accessible, fair, and representative is critical to strengthening democracy. I’m excited about these initiatives and our conversations to move Connecticut forward.

Watch the full interview below.

Making a Case for a CT Child Tax Credit

I’m proud to have authored this op-ed alongside my fellow Democratic Freshman Legislators, calling for a Connecticut Child Tax Credit. Families across our state are struggling with the rising cost of living, and it’s time we take action to provide them with real relief.

(Photo credit: CT Mirror)

It has to start somewhere.
It has to start sometime.
What better place than here?
What better time than now?
Read more about why we’re fighting for this in our op-ed HERE.

It's Tax Time! Filing Deadline Fast-Approaching

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)

Please 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:

$30 Million for CT Home Funds Program

Introducing CT Home Funds! This means an investment in:

The Connecticut Home Improvement Program
The Time to Own – Rehabilitation Program
The Homeownership Construction Program

Administered by Capital for Change and the Housing Development Fund, learn more about the new launch HERE.

April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month

Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM) 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.

Through the power of legislation, we’re making progress, closing legal gaps, expanding protections, and ensuring survivors have access to resources and support.

A Great Idea: Sponsor A Classroom

I wanted to point out a great way to teach school bus safety. Shaman Rides the School Bus is a book published by local author Valerie Higley, whom I had a chance to meet recently, and she shared some details about the book, bus safety, and the Sponsor a Classroom program, where individuals and businesses can gift the book and a stuffie set to classrooms in need.

I loved the idea and would like to share with you.

Please click on the image for more details about the book and how you can sponsor a classroom.