Rep. Delany Legislative Update 6/17

June 17, 2022
Dear Neighbor,

I hope you have been well.

The official start of summer is right around the corner and couldn't be happier! I will continue to update you on summer events happening in our great city.

In this newsletter you will find a recap of my time celebrating the 247th birthday of U.S Army, marching with community leaders on ending gun violence, attending the Parent Leadership Training Institute graduation and several other items I hope you will find useful.

This weekend there are two major holidays; Juneteenth and Fathers Day. For Juneteenth, I hope you will take time to recognize the strides this country has made as well as reflecting on the work that needs to be done.

On Fathers Day, I hope that you will be able to spend time with Father figures in your life and community.

As always, I am here if there is anything you need and I hope that you will reach.

Happy Juneteenth and Happy Fathers Day!

 
VETERANS CORNER
Earlier this week I was on duty as a combat journalist covering the U.S. Army Birthday in a ceremony at Times Square, NY.
 
Here are a few photos that I took while covering the event as a public affairs Soldier, and a few selfies that I took with my fellow troops.
 
I would like to give a special shout out to the United States Army Drill Team,West Point Benny Havens Band, theNew York City Recruiting Battalion, and the New York Department of Veteran’s Services for putting everything together!

I am proud to be a Soldier, I’m proud to tell the Army Story, and I hope all my fellow battle-buddies had a great Army Birthday!

 
MARCH FOR OUR LIVES STAMFORD
On Saturday, I was joined by Mayor Simmons, Senator Blumenthal, my colleagues in the House and dozens of residents in Stamford to demand an end to gun violence and urge Congress to act on meaningful change. I was amazed to see so many people show their support.

Since the rally, the U.S Senate has been working on legislation that begins to address the issues of gun violence in our country. There is still more work to be done and we must continue to fight until we put an end to senseless acts of gun violence.

PARENT LEADERSHIP TRAINING INSTITUTE GRADUATION

On June 15th, the other members of the Stamford Delegation, Elected and appointed leaders within our community, and I attended the parent leader training institute graduation at the First Presbyterian Church in Stamford. 

 

We were especially excited to celebrate their Class of 2020 since those leaders have waited 2 years for their in-person graduation! 

 

If you’re not familiar with PLTI (the Parent Leadership Training Institute). It is sponsored by the Stamford Public Education Foundation. PLTI has been in Stamford since 1997 and they have over 700 graduates. 

 

It’s a free 20 week civics-based course which teaches parents how to become leaders in their community and make change. Many Board Of Ed members over the years are PLTI graduates, including our own Jennienne Burke!

Click Here for More Information
 

STRAWBERRY HILL AVENUE AND FIFTH STREET RECONSTRUCTION PROJECT

 

Please be advised that that Strawberry Hill Avenue and Fifth Street Reconstruction Project will begin Wednesday, June 22nd. 
 

The project will widen certain portions of Fifth Street and Strawberry Hill Avenue to improve traffic operations around the new Strawberry Hill School. 

 

Additionally, crosswalks and sidewalks in the area will be enhanced.

 

Drivers should plan for extra travel time and use caution and slow down in work zones.

 

Thank you to everyone for informing me about any street and maintenance issues that you may have in your neighborhood. Please feel free to continue to reach out, so we can continue to work on repairing our vital roads and city infrastructure.

 
JUNETEENTH INDEPENDENCE DAY
 

Juneteenth Independence Day marks the end of slavery in this country. It is an important holiday that went unrecognized for far too long, but through activism and education, many communities now celebrate Juneteenth and understand its importance in American history.

During the 2022 legislative session, several of my colleagues spoke passionately on the House floor on why Connecticut needed to make Juneteenth a legal state holiday. The bill received bipartisan support and was recently signed into law by Governor Lamont.

Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, is the oldest known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the United States.

On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger and his troops traveled around Galveston, Texas, and read General Order No. 3, which proclaimed that enslaved individuals were free following the Emancipation Proclamation - two years after President Lincoln issued it.

As we celebrate Juneteenth and acknowledge its significance in moving this country forward, we must not forget the darkness that accompanied that part of our history. Our country has come a long way, but there is more work to do as inequality and racism still exist.
 
I will continue to use my platform to fight injustice and make our communities more equitable and inclusive.
 
Check out these Juneteenth events happening around our state this weekend.

Click Here for More Juneteenth Events
 
HEAD START ON HOUSING
 

I am pleased to announce Head Start on Housing, a cross-agency collaboration that will work to expedite housing subsidies for Head Start households.

Housing is the most important foundation for a healthy and stable life, especially for children who are the most vulnerable segment of the population.

Services can often be delivered in the most efficient manner when agencies work together and this effort uses a multi-pronged approach to help provide permanent housing to as many families with children as possible.


 

Head Start on Housing is a partnership between the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, Connecticut Department of Housing, Connecticut Head Start State Collaboration Office, Connecticut Head Start Association, and the National Center for Housing and Child Welfare.

Combating homelessness is another component and step forward in our overall goal of improving the lives of our young residents to give them the best opportunity for future success.

I look forward to this plan benefiting children in need and to the positive impact it will have on families and neighborhoods across the state.

 
CHILD TAX PAYMENTS APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
Connecticut's first ever child tax payment has just gone into effect and it's already a massive success!

Since applications were first opened to the public on June 1,

more than 90,000 households have filed to receive the $250 per child tax payment (up to three children). This was included in the $650 million tax relief package that House Democrats approved as part of the 2022 state budget to give much-needed financial relief and flexibility to working families across Connecticut.

If you have a child born before Jan. 1, 2022 and haven't yet applied, I want to remind you that there is still time to apply to receive your check!

This tax payment is available to single parents who earned less than $100,000 and two-parent households that made less than $200,000 during the 2021 tax year.

For more information on the payment and to submit an application with the Department of Revenue Services before the July 31 deadline, click the button below.

Information on the 2022 CT Child Tax Payments