Newsletter 2/4/2022

blackhistorymonth
February 8, 2022

The 2022 legislative session is only a few days away! My fellow legislators and I are working hard to draft legislation and set our priorities for this session. As always, I want to hear from you! Please do not hesitate to reach out with any ideas that you would like me to bring to the Capitol this session. 

In this e-newsletter:

  • Human Services Committee Medicare Forum
  • Black History Month 
  • National Gun Violence Survivors Week
  • Pension and Annuities Exemption
  • Legislative Session
 
Human Services Committee Medicare Forum
The Human Services Committee held a forum on February 1st, with Judy Stein and Kathy Holt from the Center for Medicare Advocacy, and Mairead Painter of Connecticut’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman, who shared helpful information about Medicare and long-term care in our state. They also shared information on the Medicare Savings Program, which can help pay some or all Medicare costs. You can watch the full forum here. 

If you have any questions about these programs, we encourage you to reach out to them! They are happy to help.
 
Black History Month
This month is Black History Month! Throughout February, we honor the contributions and sacrifices of Black Americans who have helped shape our nation. 

In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognize Black History Month. He called on Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

This month is also a good time to shine a light on the struggle, the injustice and systemic racism Black Americans still face today. At 28daysofblackhistory.com, you can sign up to receive a cultural artifact (book, movie, song, artwork, etc.), action step, and discussion question for each day of the month. I've signed up and I hope that you will too. 

Additionally, we have a lot of great work happening right here in Fairfield like the Blueprint put together by our Racial Equity and Justice Task Force. You can read it here.

I hope you will join me in celebrating Black Americans, their achievements, their culture and become familiar with their stories.
Graphic Credit: Fairfield Equity Coalition
 
National Gun Violence Survivors Week
This week is National Gun Violence Survivors Week, a time where we come together to share and amplify the stories and voices of gun violence survivors who live with the impact of gun violence every day and who, despite experiencing incredible trauma, are advocating for common-sense measures that save lives.

Everytown for Gun Safety created Moments that Survive, a year-round digital storytelling site and campaign where Americans share details of their experiences, in their own words. I encourage you to read and share these stories. Together, let's call attention to this crisis that takes more than 100 lives and wounds hundreds more in America every single day.
Moments that Survive
 
Pension and Annuities Exemption
Something I've been advocating for in Hartford is making the state more affordable for seniors!

Governor Lamont's tax cut proposal includes accelerating the planned phase-in of the pensions and annuities exemption from income taxes, from 2025 to 2022. His office said that under current state law, the income year 2022 is scheduled for a 56% exemption as the fourth year of a seven-year phase-in of the exemption, which is scheduled to reach 100% by 2025.

Single filers with an adjusted gross income less than $75,000 and joint filers with less than $100,000 qualify for the exemption.

Read more on the proposed tax cuts at the link below: 
WFSB Story
 
Legislative Session
Opening day is right around the corner!  Tune into CT-N on Wednesday, Feb. 9 to watch as we gavel in.  

This year is a short session, which occurs in even numbered years and is primarily focused on legislation relating to the state budget. More info below ⬇️