Celebrating Juneteenth, State Funding for Norwalk, and More!

June 16, 2023


 
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Dear Neighbor,

Happy Juneteenth!
 
Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in our country. This important holiday was unknown to many for several years, but thanks to the tireless work of advocates, it is now rightfully recognized throughout the country. 

During the 2022 legislative session, several of my colleagues spoke passionately on the House floor about why Connecticut needed to make Juneteenth a legal state holiday. The bill received bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Lamont, and this is the first year it will be officially observed as a state holiday.

Contrary to popular belief, the practice of slavery did not immediately end after the conclusion of the Civil War. Some communities were not informed of the Union's victory until months after the fact. On June 19, 1865, 2 months after the Civil War ended, a group of Union soldiers traveled to Galveston, Texas and announced that all enslaved individuals were now free. They were among the last group of Americans to be notified of their freedom.
 
Although Juneteenth is a celebration, we must also take time to reflect on the horrors of slavery and how it impacts us to this day. As your state representative, I will continue to push for legislation that promotes equity and inclusivity.

Tax Cuts

📢 ICYMI!  Governor Ned Lamont signed into law legislation enacting the fiscal years 2024 and 2025 biennial state budget (House Bill 6941), which contains several tax relief measures for Connecticut residents that includes the largest reduction in the income tax in state history. Learn more about the tax relief measures below:

✅ An income tax cut for the middle class that reduces the two lowest marginal rates. Specifically, the 3% rate on the first $10,000 earned by individuals and the first $20,000 by couples will decrease to 2%. The 5% rate on the next $40,000 earned by individuals and the next $80,000 by couples will decrease to 4.5%. These benefits will be capped at individual filers who earn $150,000 and couples who earn $300,000. It is estimated that one million tax filers will benefit from the rate cuts.

✅ An increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income workers from the current rate of 30.5% of the federal credit to 40%. The Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable state income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families that mirrors the federal credit. This change will provide an additional $44.6 million in state tax credits to an estimated 211,000 low-income filers. This new 40% rate makes Connecticut among the top five states in the nation with the largest Earned Income Tax Credit rates.

✅ An expansion of existing exemptions on certain pension and annuity earnings to benefit seniors. Specifically, the budget eliminates the retirement income tax cliff by adding a phase-out for allowable pension and annuity and IRA distribution deductions against the personal income tax.

Funding for Norwalk 
I am proud to announce new state funding to develop a citywide flood resilience workplan for Norwalk. 

The City of Norwalk will receive a $246,283 grant from the Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) to develop a plan that will prioritize and execute resilience strategies, and identify site-specific projects to mitigate climate impacts. During my time as a Norwalk Common Council member, I was a big advocate of creating a resilience plan. It is wonderful that our city will receive the funding needed to move this project along. 

Norwalk is part of the inaugural round of funding from The DEEP Climate Resilience Grant Project, awarding $8.8 million in grants to 21 other projects around the state.

The DEEP Climate Resilience Grant Project provides grants to vulnerable coastal and inland communities around Connecticut that the effects of climate change may have disproportionately impacted. This funding will help these communities develop climate-resilient projects to offset the impacts of climate change.

Westport Session Wrap Up
Please join State Senator Maher, State Representative Jonathan Steinberg and me for a legislative wrap-up discussion on Wednesday, June 28. This event will be held at the Westport Library from 6:30 pm- 8:00 pm. We will be available to discuss our legislative successes from last session and what we should work on going forward.

Hope to see you there! 

In The News
Firefighters with cancer will soon qualify for workers’ compensation

Under the budget passed by the Connecticut General Assembly earlier this month, firefighters with cancer can collect “workers' compensation-like” benefits and retirement disability. I was proud to co-sponsor the bill that helped get this measure in the budget.

Click here to read more.

 

I am looking forward to joining the Juneteenth celebration on the Norwalk Green this Saturday from 4pm -8pm.

Have a great long weekend, everyone!

Sincerely,

Dominique Johnson
State Representative

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