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| Friends and Neighbors,
The 2022 legislative session will kick off on Wednesday, February 9. I've been hard at work preparing for the session and want to hear from you! I'll be holding a Virtual Office Hours and Listening Session event on Monday, February 7 from 4:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. via Zoom! This is a great way for you to connect with me to discuss the issues that matter most to you and share your ideas for legislation. These informal discussions give me greater insight on how I can successfully advocate for you in Hartford. |
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| To register for the event, please email Taylor.Zitkus@cga.ct.gov.
Upon registering, you will receive a confirmation email with a time slot to meet with me.
I look forward to hearing from you! |
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| Session also kicks off the second year of the biennium budget process, where the Governor will make proposals to adjust the biennium budget, starting the months-long budget negotiation process. The legislature will develop budget proposals, listen to public and stakeholder input, and make adjustments to the Governor's proposal and the state budget to best serve our residents, communities, and state.
The Finance, Revenue & Bonding and Appropriations Committees will vote on an adjusted package, and after additional negotiations a final bill will be brought to the House and Senate for a vote.
I value your feedback and engagement, and like last year, I will be sure to share the weekly schedules on opportunities to participate in public hearings, how to attend my virtual office hours and listening sessions, and how to fill out my annual survey.
As always, feel free to share your ideas, feedback or schedule a call directly with me. You can send me an email at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov. |
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| FEBRUARY IS BLACK HISTORY MONTH |
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We celebrate the achievements, accomplishments and contributions Black Americans have made to this country, of which there are many, each February during National Black History Month. President Gerald Ford made it official in 1976.
For a list of African American firsts, from Business and Labor, Medicine and Health and more please click here.
This month is a good time to shine a light on the achievements, accomplishments, and contributions of Black Americans despite facing adversity and challenges.
Black history is American history and we are blessed to have some amazing figures in our community to celebrate this month. Throughout the month, I will sharing information about people from the 104th, past and present, who have been exemplary leaders and residents! |
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| TEEN DATING VIOLENCE AWARENESS MONTH |
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| Did you know about 1 in 3 teens experience violence in their dating relationships? Furthermore, only about 33% of those impacted will confide in someone about the violence. Intimate partner violence can have detrimental impacts for victim-survivors, and about 50% of young people who experience physical or sexual abuse will attempt fatal self harm.
February is Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month, and if your teen or a teen you know may be experiencing violence in their dating relationship, there are resources to help. Interval House CT is offering a toolkit to help raise awareness of teen dating violence and stop the cycle of abuse. To access this toolkit and learn more, please click here. |
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| Connecticut Humanities recently announced the Derby Historical Society's David Humphreys House in Ansonia received a Connecticut Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants. The grant will help this enriching and educational site maintain and grow its programming. The David Humphreys House continues to do incredible work to preserve, share, and celebrate our region's rich history with our community and state. You can learn more about the Cultural Fund Operating Support Grants here. |
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| SPOTLIGHTING LOCAL EXCELLENCE |
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| Ansonia native Matthew Torres has been making waves in the swimming pool since 2008 after watching Michael Phelps take home a record-breaking 8 gold medals during the Beijing Olympics. Since 2008, Torres has competed at the national and international levels, and even made his Paralympic debut in 2021 where he won the bronze medal in the 400-meter S8 freestyle. But that doesn't even scratch the surface of his accomplishments and skill in the water. During the U.S. National Championships last December, Matthew broke the 21-year record in the 1,500-meter S8 freestyle and is setting his sights on the 2024 Paralympic Games. Connecticut Magazine also named Matthew a member of its 2022 40 Under 40 class! Congratulations to Matthew on this recognition and everything he's accomplished so far. |
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Connecticut workers have begun receiving their W-2s and other tax documents, signaling the start of the tax filing season. Residents and businesses have until April 18, 2022 to file their taxes. Below are some helpful resources to get you through this tax season:
Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA)
- Program offers free tax preparation to eligible households
- Eligibility requirements:
- Household income less than $58,000
- If self-employed taxpayers, business expenses must be less than $25,000
- No income from a rental property
- Individuals with disabilities and limited English-speaking taxpayers can access tax prep assistance through VITA.
- Click here to see what you should bring to your appointment.
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AARP Tax-Aide Program
- Program offers free tax help for low- to moderate-income taxpayers, particularly those age 60 and older
- Virtual and in-person assistance are available
- Learn more here
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CT Department of Revenue Services
- DRS representatives can answer questions taxpayers may have. Reach out via phone or email
- Phone: 860-297-5962 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. or 860-297-4911 (Hearing Impaired, IDD/TT users only)
- Email: DRS@po.state.ct.us
- 2022 Connecticut Income Tax Filing Season FAQs - you can find answers to common questions such as requesting a filing extension, revising returns after filing, and more. Click here to access the FAQ page.
- DRS Taxpayer Service Center (TSC) Online - find information about filing individual and business tax through this platform. Business, individual, and bulk filers can file, pay, and manage their taxes, and find helpful information like tutorials, a troubleshooting guide, and more.
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Additional Tax Assistance
UConn Law School Tax Clinic - 65 Elizabeth St, Hartford, CT
- Tax Clinic is a free and independent clinic offering legal help to low-income taxpayers with tax issues concerning the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or CT DRS
- All phone and in-person meetings are confidential
- The clinic can only assist individuals taxpayers with CT income tax problems. It is unable to assist with other Connecticut business or individual tax
- Contact the clinic at 860-570-5165 or visit the website here.
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| If you or someone you know needs a COVID-19 test, please visit Connecticut's coronavirus website here and enter your zip code in the box that says, "Find a COVID TESTING site." For a list of cost-free state-supported COVID-19 testing sites, please click here.
Griffin Hospital has increased staffing to meet the increased demand for PCR testing. Testing is available for individuals 4+ at 130 Division St in Derby. Testing hours are Sunday and Saturday, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., and Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. To make an appointment, please call 203-437-6815.
Below are some more COVID-19 testing locations in our community. You can call 2-1-1 or visit the 2-1-1 website here to find additional test sites. |
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| Getting vaccinated is one of the most effective ways to protect yourself against a severe case of COVID-19 and any of the variants. If you were vaccinated over 6 months ago, public health and medical experts recommend getting boosted. Recently, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration authorized Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 boosters for individuals 12 to 15 years. You can learn more about this here.
If you're looking to get your first COVID-19 shot or a booster, the state Department of Public Health Mobile Vaccination Team will host vaccination clinics in our community. You can find a full list of mobile COVID-19 vaccination clinics here.
Children ages 5 to 11 are eligible for the pediatric dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. To find a vaccination location in your area, visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 vaccine locator, here.
You can also text your zip code to GETVAX (438829) in English, or VACUNA (822862) in Spanish to instantly receive details about clinics in your area and assistance with transportation, childcare, and more.
If you would like assistance over the phone, dial 2-1-1 to get connected with a specialist. |
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| Additional information about getting vaccinated, including how to make an appointment and a list of clinics, is available on Connecticut's Vaccine Portal, here.
If you need assistance finding transportation to and from a vaccine appointment, you can find transportation resources here.
If you're a homebound resident, you can receive your COVID-19 shot at home. Complete the state Department of Public Health's Homebound Intake Form to get the appointment process started. |
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| Are you looking to make the transition from corporate to nonprofit? Professionals and managers age 50 and older can take their experience and expertise to Connecticut's nonprofit sector through Encore!Connecticut program. This is a 4-month program providing over 30 hours of instruction for seasoned professionals to gain the skills necessary for nonprofit leadership. Students will learn about program management, finance, governance, funding strategies, grant writing organizational management, and program outcome measurement. In addition to classroom instruction, participants will have hands-on professional experience working on a strategic project with a nonprofit.
The spring 2022 program runs from March 5 to June 11. The Program fee is $2,950.
AARP Connecticut is providing $5,000 scholarships for accepted members of the spring 2022 class. Scholarships will be awarded by March 1, 2022.
To learn more about Encore!Connecticut and scholarship opportunities, and to start the application process, click the button below. |
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| Are you looking to advance your career? You might find some great opportunities during the Greater New Haven Chamber of Commerce Internship, Career & Job Fair on Thursday, February 17 at 1 p.m. You'll be able to attend this FREE event in-person at Long Wharf Maritime Center, 545 Long Wharf Dr. in New Haven or virtually. This Internship, Career & Job Fair is open to college student, soon-to-be graduates, postgrads, and regional talent. In addition to meeting with a variety of employers about prospective opportunities, there will be workshops to strengthen your skillset and job search. For more information and to register, click the button below. |
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| AARP Connecticut has funding for scholarships for students age 50+ who want to pursue careers in manufacturing at one of Connecticut's community colleges, including Naugatuck Valley Community College. Through a partnership with the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame and the College of Technology, AARP-CT is offering this opportunity for scholarships in the amount of $1,250 per student, while funds last.
Students must be age 50+ and enrolled/enrolling in any Connecticut Community College system manufacturing program. Students must also be willing to share their story and demographic information with AARP, the American Manufacturing Hall of Fame, and the College of Technology for potential publication across AARP communication channels and be willing to sign related releases.
To apply for this opportunity at NVCC, interested students should contact Angela Chapman at AChapman@nvcc.commnet.edu.
Individuals interested in learning more about NVCC's Manufacturing program can contact Deirdre D'Amore directly at ddamore@nv.edu. The popular program is currently enrolling for their certificate program which prepares individuals to enter this in-demand and good-paying field! |
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Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns you may have on Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.
All my Best,
Kara Rochelle
State Representative
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