Legislative Session, Free Tax Resources, and More!

February 28, 2025


 
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Dear Neighbor,

Happy Friday! I hope you had a good week and are looking forward to the weekend.

As you may have heard, UConn legend and WNBA superstar Diana Taurasi announced her retirement on Tuesday. Her resume speaks for itself - she won three national championships during her time at UConn, three championships with the Phoenix Mercury, 6 gold medals, and a WNBA MVP in 2009. She also has the most points in WNBA history. Enjoy retirement DT - you will be missed. 

Please read below for more information on Monday's session, free resources to utilize during tax season, and more! 
Monday's Session 

On Monday, I was proud to vote for a bill allocating $40 million in funding to special education, giving immediate support to more than 140 school districts in our state and helping to provide the highest quality education for our students.

These critical resources will help ensure students receive the specialized support they need to thrive.

Since then, the governor has expressed concerns regarding this budget allocation and has suggested the possibility of a line-item veto. However, I remain optimistic that a workable agreement can be reached as we address this critical issue.

My colleagues and I have heard from cities and towns across Connecticut that special education costs are squeezing local budgets. Students and families are dealing with the repercussions of a broken system, and while the legislature considers long-term solutions, we recognized our school districts needed immediate relief.

Our ultimate goal is to achieve systemic reform to ensure sustainable funding in this arena.

Special education remains a legislative priority for House Democrats this session, and moving forward, we will continue looking for solutions to lower costs, strengthen services, and provide more financial support for our education system to make sure every child has access to the education they deserve.

During Monday's session, we also passed legislation that will deliver much-needed tax relief for those who are 100% permanently and totally disabled due to their military service, provided funding to organizations that support individuals in the LGBTQ+ community, and more! 
Reproductive Rights Caucus Presents Legislative Priorities 
I had the honor to attend a press conference by the Reproductive Rights Caucus. The bipartisan caucus was formed in 2022 in response to continued national attacks on Roe v. Wade and reproductive rights and is now more than 40 members strong. During the press conference, we outlined our legislative priorities.

We plan to address a variety of issues, including:

  • Expanding access to care
  • Protecting reproductive health access,
  • Ensuring sustainable reproductive healthcare funding and strengthening support for providers and patients

Click here to read more. 

Staples Boys Basketball Team Wins Championship
Congratulations to the Staples Boys Basketball team for winning the FCIAC championship on Wednesday night. Your hard work and dedication to the game has paid off dividends. Staples will face Kolbe Cathedral in the second round of the CIAC Division I state tournament. Best of luck! 
CTDOT Urges Motorists to Stay in Their Vehicles in Highway Emergencies
The CTDOT has issued a safety reminder for all motorists that if you experience a breakdown or emergency on a highway, the safest place to be is inside your vehicle. Please click here to learn more.
Students Can Apply To Join CT Board of Education
Do you know of a public school student who wants to participate in statewide education policy? If so, please encourage them to apply now to potentially serve on the Connecticut State Board of Education! The selected students, who must be a rising senior, will serve a one-year term, beginning July 1, 2025.
 
The governor will appoint two public school students who will lend an important perspective to deliberations on the State Board of Education. The selected students will not have voting privileges.
 
Participants must complete their application, and it must be received by mail or email by Monday, March 17.

Click here or check out the graphic below for more information.

Free Resources to File Your Taxes
Tax season is upon us. There are several free resources available this year for anyone who needs to file state and federal taxes.

You can use the IRS Direct File Tool, which is a new option for anyone who lived and earned all their income in Connecticut last year.

Click here for more information on IRS Direct File Tool.

The federal government is also offering the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers free tax preparation services to eligible taxpayers. Here is some of the eligibility date for VITA:

  • Household income less than $68,000
  • If self-employed, business expenses should be less than $35,000
  • No income from a rental property
ICYMI
2025 TEAM Westport Teen Diversity Essay Contest

The annual Teen Diversity Contest is now accepting entries. The contest is open each year to students attending public or private high school (Grades 9-12) in Westport. Those who live in Westport and attend public or private high schools elsewhere are also eligible to participate.

This year's prompt is as follows:

In our community, each person's unique identity – shaped by their race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, and other aspects of who they are – contributes to the character of Westport. In 1,000 words or less, we invite you to reflect on how your own identity shapes your perspective and the experiences you have in Westport. Please address the following considerations in your response:

  • Which aspects of your identity feel most central to how you wish to be understood and accepted?

  • How do aspects of your identity shape your daily school and community experiences, including both challenges and opportunities in expressing these parts of yourself?

  • What specific changes could our community make to decrease identity-based bias, bullying and hate?

The entry deadline is 11:59 pm ET, Monday, March 10. Winners will be notified the week of April 11. Click here to learn more. 

Kevin M. Eidt Memorial Scholarship Fund to Announce 2025 Recipient

The 29th recipient the Kevin M. Eidt Memorial Scholarship, awarded to the most outstanding senior in the Norwalk High School class of 2025, will be announced at the Fund's annual Scholarship Presentation and Benefit Dinner Dance on April the 5th at The Waters Edge in Darien.

The $130,000 scholarship will be awarded to the most outstanding senior the Norwalk High School class of 2025 for demonstrated involvements and accomplishments across the spectrum of academics, athletics, arts, and community and religious service.

The Norwalk High School scholarship is one of 17 scholarship supported by the Fund in 2025. Since the Fund’s inception, almost $3.1 million gifts of education have been awarded to 252 recipients demonstrating achievements in the areas in which Kevin participated and excelled.

Information regarding event tickets, event sponsorship, or silent auction donations can be obtained by contacting the Fund at KevinsFund@aol.com or 203-846-9718. Additional information regarding Kevin and the scholarship fund can be found on the fund's website www.kevinsfund.org.

Pathways to Stem Careers in Manufacturing

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk is holding a free event for those interested in a career in manufacturing. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet with employers, network with experts, and more!

Please see the flyer below for more information.

The Manresa Island Park Corporation is holding their first community engagement session on March 5 from 6:30pm and 8:00pm at the Brien McMahon High School. The organization will collect feedback and ideas on the masterplan for the site, and these responses will ultimately feed into the final plan for the park.

Click here to learn more. 

Route 1 Public Workshop
The city of Norwalk is looking for your feedback on the future of Route 1 Connecticut Avenue and Van Buren Avenue.

Join the City’s Transportation, Mobility, and Parking Team, along with the Western Connecticut Council of Governments, and FHI Studios (now IMEG), for a public information meeting on Monday, March 24th, from 5:30 to 7:30 PM at Jefferson Elementary School, located at 75 Van Buren Avenue, as part of the Route 1 Corridor Master Plan Study.

During the public meeting, the community will have the opportunity to participate in a break-out session to view proposed conceptual plans at key locations along the Route 1 Corridor, provide valuable feedback, and engage directly with the project team in a collaborative, 1-on-1 setting. Don't miss out on this opportunity to make your voice heard and help shape the future of Route 1.

Click here to learn more. 

 
Please don't hesitate to reach out to me with any questions and concerns you may have - I can be reached at Dominique.Johnson@cga.ct.gov, or through my office phone - 860-240-8585.

Have a great weekend!

Sincerely,

Dominique Johnson
State Representative

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