Meet Me For a Legislative Update & Celebrating UConn's Title
April 6, 2023Let's start by congratulating the UConn Huskies for their incredible run culminating with a national championship! We are very proud of our basketball program, which has helped bring everyone together during March Madness!
There will be a championship parade in downtown Hartford beginning at 11:30 am on Saturday. In the meantime, the General Assembly is preparing for all the major bills that have passed committee and will head to the entire State House and Senate for discussion.
This is a weekend that includes Passover, Easter Sunday, and the continuation of Ramadan. This is a time where families and friends come together and reflect on their various faiths. Only three times in a century will Easter fall at the same time as Passover and Ramadan. I wish everyone a Happy Holy Week as we honor all three Abrahamic religions.
MEET ME IN PERSON NEXT WEEK
Please stop by and join me to find out everything that’s going on at the Capitol at a Legislative Update along with Representative Christine Conley and Representative Anthony Nolan. This will be our first town hall style meeting in Groton since our legislative session began in January.
We will be sharing what we have been up to during our various committee meetings and public hearings as well as give you a preview of what to expect over the next couple of months.
Join us next Thursday, April 13 from 5:30 pm - 7 pm at Thrive 55+ Active Living Center on Newtown Road in Groton.
This is an opportunity to meet each representative serving Southeastern Connecticut, to ask questions about the legislative session, and to learn more about resources available to you. I hope to see you there!
WHAT'S YOUR REP BEEN UP TO?
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I had a great time answering your questions, hearing your feedback, and having a conversation at my Mystic morning coffee hour at the Ditty Bag. We talked about housing, environmental legislation, bike-pedestrian safety, and so much more!
Thank you to the Stonington Historical Society and Nakai Clearwater Northup for bringing us together for a forum on Preserving Native American History. I had so much fun listening to beautiful stories and the incredible history of the Mashantucket Pequots in Southeastern, Connecticut!
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I was privileged to join my colleagues including Representative Maryam Khan, Senator Saud Anwar, and Senator MD Rahman for the first-ever State Capitol Ramadan Celebration. It was also great to see so many friends, colleagues, and my own dentist Dr. Khan! Thank you for the invitation to attend and to take part in the traditional Iftar dinner.
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Ramadan Mubarak to our Muslim friends and neighbors in the 41st District—Groton, Mystic, and Stonington!
Thank you to Coach Chris Stocker for his dedication to Fitch High School’s Fencing Team for the last 18 years, as he completes his last year of coaching! I was proud to present a citation to Coach Stocker for his years of service and was joined by Groton Town Councilor Portia Bordelon, who presented a town proclamation.
It was great to see students and families at the Fencing Team’s banquet celebrating their fifth place finish at the state championship. This team works hard on “the strip” and in the classroom. #GrotonProud
Over the weekend, I went for a hike with my wife at Haley Farm State Park in Groton. We are so fortunate to have such pristine open space in our community.
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TRANSPORTATION FUNDING TESTIMONY |
As a member of the Transportation Obligation Bonding Subcommittee of the Finance, Bonding, and Revenue Committee, I spoke with the top officials within the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) at a joint hearing at the Legislative Office Building. I asked the CTDOT commissioner a series of questions touching on bicycle and pedestrian safety as well as the significant federal investment to rebuild the Gold Star Bridge.
We also talked about the progress on Shore Line East and whether it would be extended into Groton, Mystic, and beyond the Stonington/Westerly border. Click the video below to watch the entire exchange.
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| Conversation between myself and the Commissioner of the Department of Transportation. |
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SEXUAL ASSAULT AWARENESS MONTH |
April is Sexual Assault Awareness Month, and I want you to know there are resources available for you and your loved ones in our community. If you need help, you can call (888) 999-5545 to speak with a certified sexual assault crisis counselor in English. Dial (888) 568-8332 to speak with an expert in Spanish.
You can also contact the Sexual Sexual Assault Crisis Center of Eastern Connecticut in nearby New London. The non-profit organization has its own 24-hour hotline at (860) 456-2789. It offers free, confidential, and comprehensive services to victims of sexual assault and abuse.
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| BEWARE OF IRS SCAMS AS TAX DEADLINE LOOMS |
Tax filing season is upon us. As you prepare to file, I urge you to be mindful of potential scams. The IRS produces a list of "dirty dozen" tax scams. While these scams can occur year-round, they tend to increase during this time of the year. It’s wise to stay on top of the latest list of common issues and take some simple steps to stay safe from them.
A great way to protect yourself is to do additional research on anything that seems suspicious. Do not click on an email or a link to an unfamiliar website. Never give out any personal information—especially your Social Security Number—to someone claiming to represent the IRS over the phone or online. When in doubt, visit IRS.gov for additional guidance.
Filing taxes can be a stressful process. Avoiding these scams can prevent an even larger headache.
Remember, the deadline to file is April 18. Trained volunteers at Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) sites offer free tax filing assistance from through mid-April. As long as your annual income is below $60,000, the service is free of charge. You can meet a volunteer at St. Mark's Episcopal Church on Pearl Street in Mystic.
| ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR EXPIRING SERVICES |
On April 1, a number of resources that offered vital assistance to our most vulnerable community members came to an end or ended expanded eligibility.
- Free Bus Services in Connecticut
- Bus fares for all buses and ADA paratransit in Connecticut have returned
- Federal restrictions prevent the state from extending this benefit for more than a year
- SNAP Bump Payments and Automatic Determination
- Families will no longer receive the additional pandemic-related payment in the middle of the month
- Redeterminations restarted and will occur every 6 months
- DSS does not have any control over when these benefits end because funding was provided under federal legislation
- HUSKY Continuous Coverage
- Medicaid enrollees will again have to provide proof of eligibility annually
If you, or a loved one were utilizing any of these resources and are now experiencing a disruption in vital care, please contact me. My office and I will work to provide additional resources that may be able to offer you necessary assistance.
Please feel free to share this information with anyone you believe needs additional assistance.
| APPLY NOW FOR FREE SWIM LESSONS |
The Ocean Community YMCA continues to take your applications for free children's swimming lessons in Mystic! Keep in mind, in order to qualify you must:
- Be eligible for SNAP benefits
- Live in a QCT
- Or be recommended by a state agency or pupil service on behalf of a Board of Education
Lessons will take place from April 30 – June 11. These free lessons will increase diversity, equity, and inclusion in outdoor recreational activities in state parks and forests.
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