Rep. Delany Legislative Update 12/2

December 2, 2022

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

We are in the midst of the holiday season, and I hope you and your family have been spending these past few weeks making fulfilling and lasting memories.

Despite the cold weather, the overwhelming warmth and generosity of our community on display every day in our city. We can see it in the volunteers who give out food and coats to their neighbors, we can see it in the first responders who rush into danger in service to their country, and we can see it in the family members who travel long distances to make our holidays a little brighter. 

However, although we are still in a season of joy and celebration. I ask that we remember those families in Connecticut who are still facing financial strain.

In service to those families and our community my colleagues and I traveled to Hartford this week for a special legislative session to pass essential polices ahead of the holidays.
 
I am proud to say that my colleagues on both sides of the isle and I worked together to pass legislation to extend sweeping tax relief for the state, provide additional funding for energy assistance programs, and continue premium pay for frontline workers.

Below you will find more detailed on the legislation enacted, actions I have taken in the community, and on the programs that I hope will be useful to you and your family.
 
THANKSGIVING GIVEAWAY
This past Thanksgiving, I had the opportunity to give away free meals at Jerkyz. I had a wonderful time helping out, and It was a great chance to see the generosity of our community in action!

I would like to thank Wilner Joseph, Isis Rae the staff at Jerkyz for your selfless service in putting together such a thoughtful and community-minded event. 
 
HOUSE SPECIAL SESSION
As we head into the holiday season, we are reminded that many families in Connecticut are still facing added financial strain.
 
To continue our efforts in easing the burden on families, my colleagues and I today voted to extend sweeping tax relief for the state, provide additional funding for energy assistance programs, and continue premium pay for frontline workers.
How will this relief affect you?  
The current suspension of the 25-cent-per-gallon gas tax was set to expire in two days – November 30. With numerous factors still causing increased gas prices, my colleagues and I voted to cut $90 million in gas taxes by extending the gas tax suspension for an additional month, then offering reduced gas tax prices through April 2023.
 
Gas Tax Schedule:
  • November 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022 --> $0
  • January 1, 2023 – January 31, 2023 --> $.05
  • February 1, 2023 – February 28, 2023 --> $.10
  • March 1, 2023 – March 31, 2023 --> $.15
  • April 1, 2023 – April 30, 2023 --> $.20
Free Bus Service was also scheduled to end on November 30. The bill we passed extends the Free Bus Service through March 31, 2023.
  • Because fares were halted in April 2022, collection must resume on April 1, 2023, to remain compliant with federal rules
    Every Connecticut family should have the resources they need to stay warm throughout the winter. I am proud to share that we approved $30 million in additional ARPA funding for the Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
     
    My colleagues and I remain committed to providing any and all assistance we can to ease any added burden from Connecticut Families. To learn more and apply for energy assistance, click the button below:
      Learn More & Apply for LIHEAP
      We also voted to increase funding for Operation Fuel, an additional energy assistance resource for qualifying low-income families. The increase in funding is sourced by requiring PURA to direct at least 95% of specified proceeds to Operation Fuel, which is expected to roughly double the resources available.
       
      To learn more about Operation Fuel, or to apply for upcoming assistance beginning December 19th, please click the button below
      Learn More & Apply for Operation Fuel
      I was proud to support premium pay for the over 100,000 Connecticut workers who were on the front lines throughout the pandemic. Our goal is to provide the most low-income essential worker applicants with the majority of the financial aid.