|
|
|
|
Today, March 27 from 12:30-1:30pm, there will be a Mobile Food Pantry at St. John's Christian Church (346 Shennecossett Rd., Groton). The food pantry will include fresh produce, nonperishables, and other items that will be placed in your trunk, back seat, or truck bed.
No paperwork is required, and you are asked to please not exit your vehicle upon arrival. This is a great and helpful event, and I hope you will take advantage of it! |
|
In the rest of this week's eblast, you can read about an Electric Boat hiring announcement, free tax prep assistance, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
|
|
It was a great Monday morning at the Electric Boat Legislative Breakfast this week. I was thrilled to hear that the company is still on track to hire 8,000 new workers this year!
I appreciated hearing their concerns about the need for a prepared workforce, the lack of housing their employees face, and the need for better public transportation, all of which will impact the greater community as a whole.
|
|
|
I was so happy to hear that Bennie Dover Jackson Multi-Magnet Middle School was named the Connecticut Middle School of the Year by the Connecticut Association of Schools!
The New London Public Schools program attributed this recognition to the school's "instructional excellence, inclusive practices and a school culture centered on collaboration among students, educators, leaders, support staff and families."
Congratulations to all for this tremendous recognition!
|
|
|
Thank you to everyone who attended the Mystic Irish Parade last weekend! It was great being out with members of the community and celebrating all of those with Irish heritage.
|
|
|
A reminder that with the tax deadline approaching on Wednesday, April 15, now is the time to take action if you haven’t filed yet. There are several free resources available this year for anyone who needs to file state and federal taxes.
The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help for low-to moderate-income (under $58,000) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Volunteers, sponsored by various organizations, receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. Visit Connecticut's 2-1-1 website and the Free Tax Help page for VITA assistance updates, or visit the IRS Site Locator.
AARP's Tax-Aide Program, a partnership between the AARP Foundation and the Internal Revenue Service, provides free tax counseling and preparation services to middle-and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to people age 60 and older. Many sites will e-file your federal and Connecticut returns at no cost to you. Visit the AARP Tax-Aide Site Locator to find a location near you.
The UConn Law School Tax Clinic is a pro bono (free) legal clinic that provides free legal help to low-income taxpayers with tax problems, either with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Lisa Perkins, Clinical Professor & Director, and law students will work on your case. The Tax Clinic also works with attorneys in Connecticut who volunteer to help low-income taxpayers pro bono. The Tax Clinic is independent and separate from the IRS and DRS. It is important to note, that the UCONN tax clinic is only able to assist individual taxpayers with Connecticut income tax problems. Contact Lisa Perkins at lisa.perkins@uconn.edu or 860-570-5165
|
|
|
Have you received a suspicious text claiming to be from Amazon? You’re not alone, and it’s likely a scam.
The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is warning residents about fraudulent messages that:
- Claim an order was “recalled”
- Urge you to click a link to confirm a refund
🚫 Do NOT click the link
📵 Block the number immediately
Image of the scam text
How to Spot the Scam
- Links that look unusual or misspelled
- URLs that do not include the official company name
- Messages creating urgency or asking for quick action
Stay Safe
If something doesn’t look right, trust your instincts. When in doubt, go directly to the company’s official website instead of clicking any links.
|
|
|
Governor Ned Lamont announced that the state will implement new federal Workforce Pell Grants through the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS), marking a major expansion of financial aid for short-term, career-focused training.
Enabled by H.R. 1 Workforce Pell expansion, the policy allows low-income students to use Pell Grants for programs lasting 8–15 weeks (150–599 hours). Previously, only programs at least 15 weeks and 600 hours qualified. This change is designed to open faster, more flexible pathways into high-demand fields, especially for working adults and non-traditional learners.
OWS will coordinate a broad statewide effort involving agencies and institutions such as the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, Connecticut Department of Labor, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, and the University of Connecticut, along with workforce boards and credentialing bodies. The goal is to align training programs directly with employer needs and regional labor shortages.
|
|
To qualify for Workforce Pell funding, programs must meet strict performance and quality standards:
- Align with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industries
- Lead to a recognized, stackable postsecondary credential
- Achieve at least a 70% completion rate and 70% job placement rate
- Result in wages above the state median for high school graduates
- Be in operation for at least one year
The initiative is intended to strengthen Connecticut’s talent pipeline while making education more accessible and outcomes-driven. Workforce Pell Grants are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.
|
|
Sincerely,
Dan Gaiewski
State Representative |
|
|
|
|
|
|
