Bigg News - February 6th | Connecticut House Democrats

Bigg News - February 6th

February 6, 2025

Dear Neighbor,

Happy Black History Month!

Let's honor, recognize, and celebrate the achievements, contributions, and resilience of Black People throughout history because Black History is American History. Let’s also reflect, learn, and continue striving for equality and justice for all! Keep scrolling through this week's newsletter, chock full of news, updates, and resources I think you will find useful.

Have a good weekend,
Patrick

At The Capitol

Join The East Hartford Delegation Next Thursday

I hope to see you there!

House Democrats Priority Bills For 2025

These priorities reflect our recognition that special education is the biggest budget wildcard for municipalities, increased housing, and decreased homelessness are critical to the state's future economic health, rising costs and a reduced workforce are making childcare hard to obtain for many families, and protecting our environment has never been more critical.

Special Education Listening Tour

The Special Education Committee will hold a listening tour across the state to inform the public about its work this session. A Zoom option is available for Feb. 13th.

Expanding Access to Contraception in CT

The training program, developed by the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, received final approval this week from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. The continuing education program is expected to take four hours to complete and is optional for all pharmacists. There are 671 licensed pharmacies and more than 6,500 licensed pharmacists in the state who are eligible to complete the course and begin offering this service.

In addition, the state’s first vending machines providing access to emergency contraception and other over-the-counter medications are also now available in Connecticut.

Increasing Medicaid Reimbursement Rates

I understand what's going on nationally, but we can't stop doing our jobs for the people of Connecticut and that starts with putting forward good public policy. This week, House and Senate Democrats announced a legislative proposal to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for providers, which is long overdue.

A recent state Medicaid Rate Study found that Connecticut lags well behind peer states when paying providers under Connecticut’s Medicaid program. Many areas of care are currently reimbursed at the same levels they were in 2007. Increasing Medicaid reimbursement rates is a worthy investment, and that’s the type of good work we’re going to keep doing here.

Knowing Your Rights

Some communities are understandably on edge with reports of immigration enforcement that have surfaced around Connecticut. Regardless of your immigration status, you have guaranteed rights under the Constitution.

The ACLU of Connecticut has prepared a comprehensive Immigrants' Rights & Resources Guide below. Learn more about your rights as an immigrant if ICE Agents approach you.

Resource Guide

The Connecticut State Department of Education also released Guidance for K-12 Public Schools "Pertaining To Immigration Activities." Please see below.

Co-Sponsor: HB5986, An Act To Establish A Refundable Child Tax Credit

Nearly 40 percent of Connecticut families are unable to make ends meet. HB5986, An Act To Establish A Refundable Child Tax Credit, will benefit 550,000 children in the state. That's why I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this legislation and joined many others in support of the bill at a press conference last week. The complete list of co-sponsors is below.

Connecticut is the only high-cost-of-living state with a broad-based personal income tax that does not adjust for the number of children or childcare expenses. HB5986 establishes a permanent refundable child tax credit against the personal income tax for up to three children, for $600 per child, for tax filers with a federal adjusted gross income of $100,000 or less for single filers or $200,000 or less for married individuals filing jointly. For every $1 in child tax credits, a family spends $1.38 in the local economy.

Survivor Benefits Enhanced

This legislation was inspired by the tragic line-of-duty deaths last year of two Connecticut state employees, including a trooper from the Connecticut State Police and an employee from the Connecticut Department of Transportation. Because of their ages and years of service, neither of those state employees were eligible to receive pensions at the time of their deaths. The change ratified by the legislature today means that both surviving families in those instances will begin receiving survivor benefits, based on their eligibility circumstances.

This change will also apply to all future situations in which a state employee who was not eligible to receive a pension is killed in the line of duty.

Apply Now For Women-Owned and Child Care Business Grants

Women-owned and childcare businesses across Connecticut have an exciting opportunity to secure funding to support and grow their companies. The Women’s Business Development Council is now accepting applications for two grant programs designed to help businesses at various stages of development.

The Ignite Grant Program offers grants of up to $10,000 for local women-owned businesses. To qualify, a business must:

Be in operation for at least two years
Have annual revenues between $25,000 and $2 million.

The application deadline is open through Monday, March 10. Learn more about the Ignite Grant RIGHT HERE.  

The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund provides grants of up to $25,000 to licensed and aspiring child care businesses. The program supports businesses at different stages, from start-ups to those looking to expand. You can apply now through Monday, March 3. CLICK HERE for more details.

Live information sessions are available throughout the application period. These sessions will cover grant requirements and provide an opportunity to ask questions. Register for an information session HERE.

Don’t miss out on these valuable opportunities by applying today!

Health Resources

Please take advantage of this free program that can save you up to 80% off certain prescriptions at nearly all pharmacies in the state. There's no cost, age restriction, or income restriction to join. To sign up, please click here.

Visit the ArrayRx website and enter your name, email address, birth date, home address, and zip code. After signing up, you will be emailed a digital discount card.

For more information on ArrayRx, including a drug price lookup tool, visit

arrayrxcard.com.