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| I understand there is a lot of uncertainty, anxiety and concern over the recent attempt by the federal government to pause non-defense and Social Security spending, as well as the ramping up of arrests of immigrants in our communities.
What I can say for sure is my colleagues and I will continue to fight to improve the lives of the residents of Farmington and the state.
Toward that end, scroll down and learn more about what we are doing at the Capitol this legislative session.
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| The newly launched Feeding CT Caucus held a press conference Wednesday to advocate for the appropriation of more dollars to attack head-on that 1 in 8 residents (468,150) struggle with hunger in Connecticut according to Feeding America. Also, more than 112,000, including 1 in 6 children, are food insecure.
The Feeding CT Caucus will request $10 million for the CT-Nutrition Assistance Program (CT-NAP), which provides fresh food to Connecticut Foodshare, food pantries, soup kitchens, and emergency shelters across the state.
Additionally, 15% of the funds would be utilized to purchase produce and other products from Connecticut farmers.
I proudly support these efforts. |
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| HB5986, An Act Establishing a Refundable Child Tax Credit Against The Personal Income Tax, is a bill I was happy to sign on to and support. |
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| With nearly 40% of Connecticut families unable to make ends meet, this bill will benefit 550,000 children in the state. 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.
House Bill 5986 establishes a permanent refundable child tax credit against the personal income tax for up to three children, in the amount of $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.
This isn't a giveaway, it makes economic sense. For every $1 in child tax credits, a family spends $1.38 in the local economy. |
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| 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. |
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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. |
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| Farmington Superintendent of Schools Kathy Greider recently announced she is retiring at the end of the school year.
Superintendent Greider has made tremendous contributions to the town and the state with her unparalleled leadership.
As I like to say, small in stature, but large in achievement.
Thank you, Kathy, and congratulations on your much-earned retirement. |
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| Join me and fellow Farmington state legislators Sen. Derek Slap and Rep. Rebecca Martinez for a Legislative Forum at the Farmington Community/Senior Center, 321 New Britain Ave., on Feb. 13 from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
I hope to see you there. |
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| As always, please feel free to contact me if you have any additional questions. My office number is 1-800-842-8267. I can also be reached by email: Mike.Demicco@cga.ct.gov. For more updates, please follow my Official Facebook Page. |
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