Jennifer Leeper

• Connecticut's State Budget
  • In addition to our record balances in the "Rainy Day" reserve fund and the substantial payments toward reducing the state's long-term pension and debt obligations, the state had a $4.8 billion budget surplus. 
  • The budget provides financial relief to retirees by exempting pensions and annuities from state income taxes to qualifying individuals.
  • The budget also extends tax cuts for workers in low-paying jobs (EITC).
  • Furthermore, Fairfield will receive $6,819,341 in 2023 (this is $1.2 million more in total state aid than what was received in 2022).  
  • You can see more of the state budget highlights by clicking here.
• Children's Mental Health
  • This year we passed legislation making more mental health resources available in our schools and increased insurance coverage and screenings.
  • Additionally, we expanded 24/7 emergency mental health response and created walk-ins for mental health emergencies.
  • Click here to read more about the legislation passed regarding children's mental health.
• Criminal Justice
  • With the uptick in juvenile motor vehicle crimes, we passed legislation that updates Connecticut's criminal justice statutes. This law enables courts and law enforcement to effectively respond to juveniles with repeated motor vehicle theft and other crimes.
    • You can learn more about this law's effects by clicking here.
  • We also passed legislation that will impose restrictions on and require record keeping by motor vehicle recyclers, scrap metal processors, and junk dealers. This law will work to interrupt the process of profiting from stolen catalytic converters by aiding law enforcement in tracking and identifying potential criminal activity. 
  • I also supported significant investments in crime prevention and reduction initiatives that were part of the state budget adjustment bill signed by the Governor in the summer. The investments will:
    • Speed up the processing of court cases.
    • Help victims and survivors recover from crime through safety planning, crisis counseling, mental health treatment, and support for survivors of domestic violence.
    • Trace firearms to their sources, reduce stolen cars, reduce violent crime, and promote safety on rural roads.
    • Support community and public health-led strategies to prevent and reduce gun violence.
    • Utilize the latest forensic science technologies to speed up investigations and clear criminal cases.
• Environment
  • This year we passed the Clean Air Act. This legislation invests in and encourages wide-scale electric vehicle distribution essential to reducing emissions and improving air quality.
  • Additionally, we set a goal of reaching zero greenhouse gas emissions from electricity supplied to you by 2040. 
• Refugee Resettlement
  • Representative Farrar and I worked together on advocating for refugee families. We were proud to secure $1 million from the state budget to provide financial assistance to refugee resettlement agencies. This funding provides arriving refugee families with a one-time grant of $1,000 to compensate for the high costs of living in Connecticut by covering expenses such as rent, utilities, transportation, food, English language instruction, and job training. 

These are just some of our accomplishments from 2022. As we look toward the future, I'm eager to continue representing you and making meaningful advancements for Connecticut. 

Since Connecticut alternates between a short session (that goes from early February to early May) in even-numbered years and a long session (that runs from early January to early June in odd-numbered years), 2023 will be a long session. During this time, we will be crafting the biennial budget, which will cover the next two years.

With this in mind, I'd love to hear from you! Contact me via email (Jennifer.Leeper@cga.ct.gov) or phone (860-240-8585) to share your thoughts on what we should prioritize this upcoming session.
 

Sincerely,

Jennifer Leeper
State Representative
 

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