Eleni Kavros DeGraw

In this edition of the newsletter we will touch on the following topics:

• Public Hearing Today: Three Important Bills Raised Before Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee
• A Refresher: How Does A Bill Become A Law?
• Renter's Rebate Program In Effect For Elderly, Disabled Residents In Need
• A Belated Happy Easter

THREE IMPORTANT BILLS RAISED BEFORE FINANCE, REVENUE AND BONDING COMMITTEE TODAY

As Vice Chair of the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee I am interested in hearing the testimony regarding three bills being raised before us today. The Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee has jurisdiction over all matters relating to finance, revenue, capital bonding, fees and taxation. The committee also has cognizance over employer contributions for unemployment compensation and all matters relating to the Department of Revenue Services and the revenue aspects of the Division of Special Revenue.

Public hearing testimony today will focus on the following raised bills:

HB 6655, AN ACT CONCERNING MUNICIPAL TAXATION AND INCENTIVIZING REGIONALIZATION. This legislation seeks to limit property tax increases, authorizes municipalities to impose local taxes and incentivizes municipal regionalization of services. This is an optional three-tiered approach to encouraging municipalities to regionalize services like public safety services. The incentives would help on the front end to set up new systems that would then lead to seeing cost-savings overall, but, again, this is completely optional if it passes.

HB 6673, AN ACT CONCERNING THE RETENTION OF A PORTION OF THE SALES TAX ON MEALS. This piece of legislation would allow certain establishments to retain, for the fiscal year commencing July 1, 2021, a portion of the sales tax collected on the sales of meals. I have heard from many restaurant owners that this legislation is critical to their recovery coming out of the pandemic because it would allow the restaurants to retain 1 % of the sales tax they collect.

HB 6674, AN ACT ESTABLISHING AN INCOME TAX CREDIT FOR LONG-TERM CARE INSURANCE PREMIUM PAYMENTS. The purpose of this bill is to establish a credit against the personal income tax for a portion of premium payments made for certain individual long-term care insurance policies. Seniors in our district have raised this as a concern for their overall financial health.

A REFRESHER: HOW DOES A BILL BECOME A LAW?

As we move to the portion of session where bills have been voted out of committee, here's a nice, clear step-by-step breakdown of how a bill becomes a law.

RENTER'S REBATE PROGRAM IN EFFECT FOR ELDERLY, DISABLED RESIDENTS IN NEED

The Renters' Rebate program opened Thursday and will run through October 1st. This program provides rental reimbursement to elderly and disabled residents in need. These rebates can be up to $900 for married couples and $700 for individuals. The amount is based on a graduated income scale and the amount of rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made in the prior calendar year.

Who is eligible?

Renters who meet the one-year state residency requirement, and are one of the following:

• A renter (or their spouse) who is 65 years of age or older, or
• A renter who is 50 years of age or older and is the surviving spouse of a renter who at the time of the renter's death had qualified and was entitled to tax relief provided such spouse was domiciled with such renter at the time of the renters’ death, or
• A renter who is 18 years of age or older and eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits.

Applications can be made at the town social service agency or the local Assessor's Office.

For more information, please call the Renters’ Rebate Hotline at 860-418-6377 or click here to visit the website.

Also, please, don't hesitate to share this information with anyone that might be able to take advantage of this program, which helps people on low or fixed incomes. During these difficult economic times, programs like this are more important than ever.

HAPPY BELATED EASTER

A Happy belated Easter to all of you who celebrated yesterday.