Rachel Khanna

Dear Neighbors, 

As we ring in the new year, there are some laws that became effective on January 1 that were passed during the 2023 legislative session addressing key issue areas including early voting, health and mental health, and online privacy and data protection.

There was an increase in the minimum wage effective January 1 from $15.00 to $15.69 made possible through legislation passed in 2019, which implemented five incremental increases in the minimum wage followed by future adjustments that are tied to the percentage change in the federal employment cost index.

Although the list is extensive, below I share some highlights, and a link to the complete list. Please feel free to share and reach out to my office if you would like more detail on any of the new laws.

EARLY VOTING (PA 23-5)

• Establishes a framework for early, in-person voting
• Requires a 14-day early voting period for general elections
• A seven-day period for most primaries
• A four-day early voting period for special elections and presidential preference primaries.

HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE (PA 23-174)

• Includes the creation of a Hospice Hospital at Home pilot program to provide in-home hospice care to patients through in-person visits and telehealth.

• Establishes a new license category for freestanding birth centers
• An Infant Mortality Relief Program to review medical records and other data on infant deaths
• A midwifery working group to study and make recommendations on advancing choices for community birth care.

ONLINE PRIVACY, DATA AND SAFETY PROTECTIONS (PA 23-56)

• Makes various changes to laws on data privacy and related issues, including:
  • Provisions on consumer health data
  • Minors’ social media accounts and online services
  • Online dating operators
  • A task force on internet crimes against children.

RESOURCES FOR PERSONS WITH AN INTELLECTUAL

OR DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITY (PA 23-137)

• Among many supportive measures, creates a plan to establish a Transitional Life Skills College program to support certain people with IDD who are transitioning out of high school or to independent living.

WORKERS' COMPENSATION FOR POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS INJURIES (PA 23-35)

• Expands eligibility for workers’ compensation benefits for post-traumatic stress injuries to all employees covered by the workers’ compensation law.

As a result of fiscal responsibility and bipartisanship in 2023, I am pleased to announce that significant relief is on the way for many Connecticut taxpayers in 2024!

Three tax relief measures will go into effect on January 1, including the largest income tax cut in state history, an increase in a tax credit aimed at the lowest-income workers, and an expansion of exemptions on certain pension and annuity earnings that will benefit the senior population.

Here's a closer look at the tax cuts, who specifically benefits, and how:

One million filers to benefit from income tax cuts:

The changes enacted in 2024 will see a decrease in the two lowest rates: 

• The 3% rate on the first $10,000 earned by single filers and the first $20,000 by joint filers will drop to 2%.
• The 5% rate on the next $40,000 earned by single filers and the next $80,000 by joint filers will drop to 4.5%.

The relief targets middle-class tax filers and is capped at $150,000 for single filers and $300,000 for joint filers. This is the first time that rates have been reduced in the state since the mid-1990s and it represents the largest income tax cut enacted in state history.
For more information, single filers click here. For joint filers, click here.

Connecticut’s Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income workers becomes one of the largest in the U.S.

The EITC in Connecticut is increasing from 30.5% to 40% of the federal EITC and will provide an additional $44.6 million in state tax credits to the approximately 211,000 low-income filers who receive the credit. More than 95 percent of filers who receive this credit are families with children.

The Connecticut EITC is a refundable state income tax credit for the lowest income working individuals and families that mirrors the federal EITC.

Expanding certain deductions for IRA distributions and pension and annuity earnings for seniors

The state budget eliminates the retirement income tax cliff by adding a phase-out for allowable pension annuity and IRA distribution deductions against the personal income tax.

Approximately 200,000 filers benefit from the currently enacted retiree exemption limits. It is estimated that with these changes, an additional 100,000 filers could benefit from the elimination of the retirement cliff via the exemption phase-out.

The General Assembly will be back in session starting February 7, 2024. To serve you effectively, I’d be most grateful if you could complete this quick survey so I can better understand your priorities and thoughts on issues. Decisions will be required for the many proposals that will be introduced in the upcoming legislative session and the survey will provide the information I need as I’m making those decisions.

• Drop off your Christmas tree from December 26-January 31 at Byram Park, Bruce Park, Greenwich Point, Holly Hill to be chipped into mulch for town properties. Be sure to remove lights, stands and decorations!
• Trout Unlimited is hosting drop off events for natural trees on the next two Saturdays - January 6th and 13th - at Mianus River Park in Stamford to provide habitat for species and improve the health of our local rivers! 
• Or you can leave them on your property to decompose, providing wildlife habitat and enriching soil.

• Whether they're stepped on or the dog chews them, string lights don't last forever. ​Greenwich Recycling Advisory Board is again sponsoring string lights recycling- only broken lights please! - at the designated electronics area at Holly Hill transfer station.
• Or send your old Christmas lights to companies, like ​Holiday LEDS​ and ​Christmas Light Source​ for recycling and a discount coupon. 

• If you give or receive gifts with batteries this season, consider using rechargeable batteries. Otherwise, batteries should be disposed at the battery drop off at Holly Hill or the collection at the Old Greenwich food scrap drop off on Wednesdays 12-2. Please do not put batteries in the trash.
• When replacing old electronics, bring them to the designated electronics area at Holly Hill or to Staples for recycling. Or donate them if they're still in good condition.