Rebecca Martinez

Most alarmingly, these cuts will cripple DPH’s ability to track and respond to disease outbreaks such as measles, avian flu, and mpox. The agency will lose access to real-time data from emergency departments, leaving public health officials less prepared to the warning signs of potential epidemics.
 
Additionally, healthcare providers will be forced to use outdated fax systems to report diseases instead of sending the information electronically, delaying response times and weakening our ability contain outbreaks. This will have a trickle-down effect on our local health departments, already stretched thin, which will be less equipped to respond to infectious disease threats in our communities.

The consequences extend beyond disease tracking - these cuts will significantly disrupt:

• newborn screenings
• childhood immunization programs
• testing for viruses and other pathogens
• timely laboratory diagnostics
• staffing to respond to outbreaks including in nursing homes

The Connecticut Department of Public Health released a comprehensive report detailing the full impact of these devastating funding cuts.

You can read more about these funding cuts here.

The difficult news does not stop there. The federal government continues to make significant cuts that could have devastating consequences for Connecticut and the rest of the country. These drastic moves threaten essential services, creating uncertainty and hardship for our most vulnerable.

This week, the Trump Administration closed at least five regional Head Start offices, including the one in Boston, which oversees programs in Connecticut. All federal Head Start staff in these offices lost their jobs immediately, delivering a crushing blow to children from low-income families who rely on comprehensive early education and childcare services. I am deeply saddened and concerned about the impacts this will have on Head Start programs in our communities.

According to the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood, the federal government allocated more than $71 million in funds, with the state contributing $5 million in aid in 2024. Connecticut is home to 22 Head Start programs serving more than 5,500 children and families. The closures of regional offices raises concerns about future support for these programs.

The Trump Administration also terminated all federal employees responsible for administering the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The move could leave up to 200,000 people in Connecticut without essential heating assistance. LIHEAP benefits vulnerable seniors, people with disabilities, and low-income families.

While there is no word on funding cuts, the future of LIHEAP is in jeopardy due to the mass layoffs. With significantly less personnel to administer the program, its effectiveness and reach are at serious risk. Experts believe LIHEAP will stop functioning without federal support or expertise.

My colleagues and I are urging the federal government to reconsider these cuts, and we will continue to assess their potential impact on Connecticut. Our top priority is ensuring the well-being of our state’s most vulnerable residents.

The IRS Direct File Tool is an option for anyone who lived and earned their income in Connecticut last year. You can use this resource if you have one or more of the following types of income:

• W-2 (income from employer)
• 1099-G (unemployment compensation
• SSA-1099 (Social Security benefits)
• 1099-R (income from employer-sponsored pension and retirement account)
• 1099-SA (distributions for qualified medical expenses from Health Savings Accounts)
• 1099-INT (interest income)

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program is staffed by IRS-certified volunteers who are specifically trained to help qualifying individuals including low- to moderate-income taxpayers, people with disabilities, and those with limited English proficiency, prepare and file both federal and state tax returns accurately. They can assist in claiming valuable tax credits, such as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC), which can lead to a significant increase in your refund.

To access VITA services, taxpayers can visit an in-person VITA site, typically located at community centers, libraries, and nonprofit organizations. Many VITA sites also offer convenient drop-off or virtual options, allowing you to submit documents securely and have a preparer complete your return remotely.

Here are some of the eligibility requirement 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

Don’t miss out on other opportunities below to save money when filing your taxes:

• IRS Services
• Connecticut Department of Revenue Serviced (DRS)
• AARP
• UConn Law Tax Clinic

April is National Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and I would like to share with you that the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is taking a stand with the launch of a statewide Distracted Driving Awareness and Enforcement Campaign to help keep Connecticut roads safe.

In partnership with State and local law enforcement and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the campaign will step up efforts to enforce distracted-driving laws for the month of April. 

Nationally in 2022, 3,308 people were killed, and nearly 290,000 people were injured in traffic crashes involving distracted drivers. In Connecticut in 2022, the last year of verifiable data, there were 5,318 crashes attributed to distracted driving that resulted in eight fatalities and more than 787 injuries.

The CTDOT urges drivers to prioritize safety by eliminating distractions while driving. Follow these simple tips to stay safe on the road:

• If you need to send or receive a text, pull over and park in a safe location before using your phone
• Designate a passenger to manage calls and messages while you drive
• Avoid social media use while driving—no post is worth risking your life
• Do not use a vehicle’s “infotainment” screen or other portable video players while operating a motor vehicle
• If you struggle to resist checking your device, enable the “Do Not Disturb” feature, silence notifications, or place your phone out of reach in the glove box or back seat until you arrive

Click here for more information on distracted driving prevention.