Rep. Delany Legislative Update 8/24

August 24, 2022

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

 

I hope you and your family have been well and are enjoying these warmer months and brighter times.

 

As our community moves closer to the end of summer we start to think forward to the Fall. To the changing of the seasons and the beginning of the school year. For many families that means buying school supplies, tough conversations about student loans, and the search for work after our summer vacations.

 

Over the next few weeks I will be meeting with organizations to discuss the availability of resources to our community ahead of the school year, and I have included information on employment programs, tax relief, and student loan forgiveness programs further in my email.

 

Below you will find more detailed information on where I have been, and on the programs that I hope will be useful to you and your family.

 
ENVIRONMENTAL SCORECARD


 

The CTLCV - Connecticut League of Conservation Voters recently released its environmental scorecards for the 2022 legislative session and I am pleased to share that I received a perfect score for my voting record on bills concerning environmental issues.
 
DOMUS VISIT
I visited a few of the DOMUS facilities in our community to discuss their mission of building support systems and positive relationships with the youth in our City.

It was inspiring to see the myriad of programs they have at the ready to uplift our youth, and to protect the most vulnerable in our community from the disengagement and trauma that many of them face on a daily basis.

I would like to thank Jessica Vandervoort for her invitation, her years of advocacy within DOMUS, and her service to Stamford.

Fun Fact: the word “DOMUS” loosely translates to the latin word for “Home”

 
VETERANS CORNER
This year I partook in the annual veteran’s picnic with the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and the American Legion!

I also had the privilege of presenting a citation on behalf of the Stamford delegation to honor the retirement of Master Sgt. Thomas Finn and his 31 years of service to the U.S. Army.

I would like to personally thank Master Sgt. Finn for his steadfast service to community, the U.S. Army, and to our country. Hooah!

 
STAMFORD ARTS AND CULTURE

A week or so ago I had the pleasure of attending the City of Stamford Arts & Culture Commission’s concert in Scalzi park!

 

It was a beautiful day filled with amazing music and people. 

 

I would like to extend special thanks to Valerie Cooper for bringing us all together to celebrate art, music, and culture! 

 
PUBLIC SERVICE LOAN FORGIVENESS
INFORMATIONAL SESSION
The U.S. Department of Education has implemented temporary changes to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program rules that make it easier for federal student loan borrowers to receive credit for past periods of repayment that would otherwise not qualify for forgiveness. These changes end on October 31, 2022. After this date, normal PSLF rules will apply.

Millions of government and private, non-profit employees have federal student loans and may now be eligible for loan forgiveness or additional credit toward forgiveness under these time-limited PSLF changes.

This Wednesday, August 24th, The U.S. Department of Education is hosting The White House Public Service Loan Forgiveness Day of Action informational session for Federal/State/Local/Tribal Governments' employees. Learn more to see if you are eligible for this program.
Sign up to join the upcoming PSLF Day of Action
Check Eligibility
What's changed under the limited
Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) waiver?
  • You can receive credit for periods of repayment made on Direct, Federal Family Education Loan (FFEL), or Perkins Loans.
  • Past payments under any plan count for non-consolidation loans through Oct. 31, 2022.
  • Past payments made on loans before consolidation count, even if on the wrong repayment plan.
  • Past payments that were made late or for less than the amount due count for non-consolidation loans through Oct. 31, 2022.
  • Past payments made on loans before consolidation count, even if paid late, or for less than the amount due.
  • When you apply for forgiveness and/or when you receive forgiveness, you don't need to still be employed by a qualifying employer.
 
CT'S SALES TAX-FREE WEEK
 

Connecticut's 2022 Sales Tax Free Week runs from August 21 to August 27. This is a great opportunity to take the kids back-to-school shopping or to treat yourself or your loved ones while saving money.
 
Many retailers in Connecticut offer additional discounts on clothing and footwear during Sales Tax Free Week, providing consumers with even more savings.

During the one-week sales tax holiday, most clothing and footwear items priced under $100 are exempt from the Connecticut sales tax. The exemption during Sales Tax Free Week applies to each eligible item costing under $100, regardless of how many of those items are sold to a customer in the same transaction. The tax holiday applies to purchases made in-store, online, mail-order, and over the phone.
 
The sales tax holiday occurs once a year as a result of legislation
passed in 2015. However, in 2022, we passed a special act to establish a one-time tax holiday that ran from April 10 to 16 to help ease some of the financial strain on residents. The law also established CT's gas tax holiday and free bus service, which have been extended through the end of November.
 
More information about Connecticut’s Sales Tax Holiday, including a list of exempt and taxable items, is available on the
Department of Revenue Services website.

 

 
CAREERCONNECT PROGRAM IS UNDERWAY
I am excited to announce that CareerConneCT, a program I supported to help individuals whose employment was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, is underway.

The initiative, which will benefit thousands of state residents, is funded with $70 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).

More than

19 job training programs are available to help train Connecticut workers mostly underrepresented in the workforce, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), people with disabilities, the re-entry population, opportunity youth, veterans, immigrants, and women.
To Enroll in Training Programs or to Learn More – Click HERE

Potential job seekers will have access to several training options including opportunities in manufacturing, information technology, health care, infrastructure and clean energy, and other high-demand sectors.

Each program will include supportive services to promote successful completion of training and connection to employment including childcare, transportation, career advising, and other forms of case management. Training and supportive services will be available at no cost to eligible participants.

In Connecticut, we are investing American Rescue Plan funds in workforce development and our state’s economic future.