Legislative Town Hall, Helping the Helpers, and more

January 3, 2025


 
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Dear Neighbors,

Happy New Year! The New Year is a time for resolutions and new beginnings.

Speaking of new beginnings, the legislative session begins next Wednesday, January 8th. This is the first year of the two-year biennium and legislators are able to introduce bills on any topic.

I would love to hear from you about the issues you want to see addressed during this legislative session. Please feel free to reach out directly via e-mail or phone, 203-522-3037 or 860-240-8585, or join us at next week's Fairfield delegation legislative forum.

Whether you live in Fairfield, Bridgeport, or anywhere nearby, please feel free to join us and share your thoughts and ideas. We want to hear from you.

 
Helping the Helpers
This past week, Bridgeport firefighter and Fairfield resident Mike Mentes and his family lost their home to a fire. Today I joined Fairfield and Bridgeport firefighters along with fellow legislators to share the support of the community. If you'd like to contribute to help Mike, his wife and three daughters, you can do so here.
 
Informational Forum for the Immigrant Community
Next Tuesday, January 7th, in an event sponsored by the Connecticut Institute for Refugees and Immigrants, Southwest Community Health, Merton House, Bridgeport Police, and many other partners, the Attorney General, Bridgeport Chief Porter, and others will discuss ways to protect and support our immigrant community. The event will be held from 6-7:30pm at the University of Bridgeport's Student Center, 244 University Avenue.
 
New Laws
A number of new laws that were passed during the 2024 legislative session went into effect January 1.
One law will expand Connecticut's paid sick leave policy to all companies with at least 25 employees. This new law lets employees take care of their families without adding any additional stress or financial strain.

It will soon become

 easier than ever for companies to help employees pay off their student loan debt. Through one law, the tax credit for employers making payments for an employee will be expanded - helping Connecticut residents and businesses alike.

We are also protecting those affected by coerced debt, which is created as a result of a domestic violence victim being forced by an abuser into incurring credit card debt. Credit card companies must now review the details of cases to determine if the debt is coerced debt, and abusers will be held liable for the debt.

Other laws going into effect Jan. 1 include a bill

improving the health and safety of Connecticut residents, measures to make our elections more secure, and more.

You can click the link below for the full list of laws that went into effect, and please don't hesitate to reach out if you have any questions.

New Laws January 1, 2025
As always, your calls, emails, and testimony at our public hearings directly influenced these new laws. Please continue to share your views and have your voice heard at the Capitol!
 
Please share this information with those who might find these resources and events helpful and of interest. You can also sign up for future e-mails. Have a wonderful weekend.

Peace,

Cristin McCarthy Vahey
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