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| Tax Day is just around the corner, and some lower-and middle-income earners are eligible for major savings. Please look below to learn how much you could save this year thanks to legislation I helped pass in 2023.
The community worked together to support the Derby Police Department. Keep scrolling to see how our heroes are getting a major boost to improve public safety.
Congratulations to our unstoppable Huskies on back-to-back NCAA championships! I'll let you know where you can cheer for the team one last time at a championship parade this weekend!
Here are the sections in this week's email:
- Major Tax Benefit This Year
- Support for Derby Police
- Passports to Connecticut Libraries
- UConn Victory Parade
- Legislators To Play in Friendly Game of Kickball!
- In The News
- Apply To March in Memorial Day Parades!
- Derby Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Hamden
- Orange Events Calendar
- Upcoming Events in Woodbridge
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| Major Tax Benefits This Year |
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Low to middle-income workers in the 114th district have some major tax savings to look forward to when they file their personal income tax returns. This year, the Connecticut Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) increased to 40% compared to 30.5% in 2023. This means that lower-income filers will receive several hundred dollars in additional tax credits.
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The Woodbridge Assessor's Office is accepting applications for Tax Relief Programs. Filing criteria and deadlines are highlighted below.
Woodbridge full-time residents may file applications for the State and Town Elderly and Totally Disabled Tax Relief Programs by Wednesday, May 15. Residents must be 65 or older or totally disabled prior to December 31, 2023. This is an income-based program. Proof of income and the 2023 Federal Tax Return, if filed, are required.
The Connecticut EITC is based on the amount of the federal EITC. It is available to those earning less than:
- $56,838 ($63,698 married filing jointly) with 3 or more qualifying children
- $52,918 ($59,478 married filing jointly) with 2 qualifying children
- $46,560 ($53,120 married filing jointly) with 1 qualifying child
- $17,640 ($24,210 married filing jointly) with no qualifying children
It is estimated that approximately 211,000 households in Connecticut are eligible.
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This benefit comes in addition to the income tax cut for middle-income households earning less than $150,000 for single filers and $300,000 for joint filers. Those cuts, which went into effect on January 1, 2024, reduced the two lowest rates of the state’s progressive tax structure by:
- Decreasing the rate on the first $10,000 earned by single filers and the first $20,000 by joint filers from 3% to 2%; and
- Decreasing the rate on the next $40,000 earned by single filers and the next $80,000 by joint filers from 5% to 4.5%.
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Moving to Woodbridge, where Veterans who live there may file applications for the State and Town Additional Veteran Program by Tuesday, October 1. The Town of Woodbridge offers a local veteran's exemption to all veterans who qualify for the regular veteran's exemption. There is no age requirement. This is an income-based program. Proof of income and the 2023 Federal Tax Return, if filed, are required.
Tax Relief Forms are on the town website and may be accessed via the links above. Forms are also available at Town Hall in the Assessor’s Office. For more information, please call (203) 389-3416.
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The Derby Police Department is getting a major boost from the community! The Derby-Shelton Rotary Club donated $2,000 to police in order to thank them for their service and to improve public safety. Officers will use those funds to buy first aid kits for officers and police cruisers.
The money came from the Derby-Shelton Rotary Club Flags for Heroes program. Donors sponsored more than 300 flags which flew on the Derby Green and Shelton Veterans Memorial Park last year.
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| Passports to Connecticut Libraries |
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Stop by your local library for an awesome campaign called Passport to Connecticut Libraries, which encourages everyone to read! Begin your journey by picking up a library passport at one of 150 participating libraries. Make sure to get it stamped before visiting other libraries and doing the same thing there. Each participant will receive a small gift at each new library.
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There are several locations where you can grab your passport in the 114th district:
- Derby Public Library on Elizabeth Street in Derby
- Miller Memorial Library on Dixwell Avenue in Hamden
- Brundage Community Branch Library on Circular Avenue in Hamden
- Whitneyville Branch Library on Carleton Street in Hamden
- Woodbridge Town Library on Newton Road in Woodbridge
CLICK HERE for a full list of participating libraries.
The campaign runs from Monday, April 1 through Tuesday, April 30. The Connecticut Library Association will offer two adults and two children a $200 Visa gift card.
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The legacy of excellence continues!
There will be a victory parade and rally in downtown Hartford on Saturday, April 13 to congratulate the UConn men’s basketball team for winning the 2024 NCAA National Championship!
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The parade will begin at 11:00 A.M. at the State Capitol. It will proceed on Trinity Street, go through the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Arch, turn right onto Jewell Street, turn left onto Trumbull Street, and end at the intersection of Asylum Street and Trumbull Street.
The rally will begin around 11:30 A.M. and will be held outside of the main entrance of the XL Center, where the players, coaches, and other guests will speak to the fans!
Check out the parade route below!
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| Legislators To Play in Friendly Game of Kickball! |
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Join my colleagues and me at the third Annual CGA Kickball Classic at Dunkin' Park in Hartford on Monday, April 15 at 4:30 P.M. Proceeds will benefit the Earl E. Exum Memorial Fund, in memory and honor of Representative Tammy Exum's husband, Earl, who passed away unexpectedly last fall. Your contributions will also support The Pink Fund, which offers financial assistance in the fight against breast cancer.
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Tickets are $10, and you can buy them at the gate or RIGHT HERE. The parking lot directly across from the stadium is no longer accessible, but there is plenty of parking around Dunkin' Park. You can find parking options HERE.
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| Apply To March in Memorial Day Parades! |
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| The Towns of Hamden and Orange are accepting applications to march in their respective Memorial Day Parades.
CLICK HERE if you would like to participate in the Hamden parade. You have until Friday, May 10 to apply.
CLICK HERE to take part in Orange's parade! If you have any questions or need more information, please email the Parade Committee at parade@orange-ct.gov. |
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| Check out the events below, and click the button at the bottom of this section to access the community calendar. |
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| Stop by Derby Neck Library on Sunday, April 14 at 3:00 PM for a hands-on workshop to make adorable wool animals with needle-felting. |
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| Two married actors will perform a live Performance of "Love Letters" by A.R. Gurney at Derby Public Library on Saturday, April 20 at 12:00 P.M. CLICK HERE to register!
"Love Letters" tells the story of Melissa Gardner and Andrew Makepeace Ladd III, who exchange letters, but not marriage vows, in a warm and complicated friendship lasting 50 years. |
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| Upcoming Events in Hamden |
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| Take a look at the fliers below to learn more about upcoming events. Make sure to click on the button at the bottom of this section. |
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| Check out the flier and community calendar in Orange below. |
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| The Regional Water Authority’s Satellite HazWaste Collection is rescheduled for Saturday, April 13 from 9 A.M. - 12 P.M. behind High Plains Community Center at 525 Orange Center Road.
This event offers residents a convenient and responsible way to dispose of various household hazardous waste properly, while promoting sustainability and environmental consciousness. CLICK HERE to pre-register and CLICK HERE to learn more about the event. |
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| Upcoming Events in Woodbridge |
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| Check out the events below, and access the Woodbridge community calendar by clicking on the button at the bottom. |
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| The Massaro Community Farm is hosting a beekeeping workshop with a focus on queen bee health and feeding to build the colony on Saturday, April 13 at 9:00 A.M. Click Here to register. |
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| Join the JCC of Greater New Haven for a special Parkinson’s Support Group, where The Michael J. Fox Foundation will lead an insightful and empowering session. Mark your calendars for Tuesday, April 16 from 4:30 P.M. - 6:00 P.M. for an evening of support, education, and community. Together, let’s make a positive impact on the Parkinson’s journey. CLICK HERE for more information. |
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