Chris Poulos

The Advisory Board was created to advocate, strengthen and advise the Governor and the Connecticut General Assembly concerning state policies affecting persons who are deaf or hard of hearing and their relationship to the public, industry, health care, and educational opportunities.

I was proud to support the Advisory Board that includes one of my constituents, Luisa Soboleski.

Also on Friday, I joined a bipartisan group of legislators, along with advocates from AARP and the Connecticut Coalition for Retirement Security for a press conference in the Legislative Office Building regarding state taxation of retirement income and HB 6934, which is a bill before the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee.
 
HB 6934 would adjust certain personal income tax rates, establish phase-out thresholds for the personal income tax deductions for pension and annuity income and IRAs, increase the applicable percentage of the earned income tax credit and expand the tax credit for human capital investment among other provisions. Section 2 of the bill derives from HB 5052, which was originally introduced and co-sponsored a large bipartisan group of Democrat and Republican legislators, that proposed to broaden the current deductions for Social Security, pension and annuity income, and individual retirement account (IRA) income and to eliminate the current "marriage penalty" and the "cliff" effect in current law for these deductions.  HB 6934 differs from the original proposal, but still proposes to provide some tax relief to retirees.

April is Autism Acceptance Month. This year's theme, “Celebrate Differences,” aims to herald the acceptance of individuals beyond the spectrum.
 
Formerly known as Autism Awareness Month, in 2021 the Autism Society of America changed it to Autism Acceptance Month to promote receptivity and inclusivity.
 
Autism is a complex developmental condition stemming from differences in a person's brain structure and neurotransmitters affecting individuals' verbal and non-verbal communication. Currently, 1 in 54 children is diagnosed with autism every year.

Things to remember about autism:

• Autism is a disorder, not a disease
• Individuals with autism need our support and not our judgment
• It is likely you have met someone with autism, even if you think you have not
• Everyone on the autism spectrum is different, and there are many subtypes
• Children with autistic characteristics are generally diagnosed by age four
• Diagnosis rates may be increasing, but there are now better ways to monitor and assess symptoms

To learn more about autism and state resources, click the button below.

It is important to celebrate our differences so we can learn more about one another and become empowering to all neurodiverse individuals.

Members of the Connecticut General Assembly, Democrats and Republicans alike, are coming together outside of their offices and chambers, in the spirit of bipartisanship, for some fun and good causes.

The second annual CGA Kickball Classic is set for Monday, May 1 at 4:30 p.m. (gates open at 3:30) at Dunkin' Park in Hartford, home of the Yard Goats. 

The admission price is $10, and proceeds will go to two great causes: the Q Fund at the Middlesex County Community Foundation, in memory of State Rep. Quentin "Q" Williams, who tragically died in a car crash at the start of the 2023 legislative session; and the Sarah Foundation, in memory of former State Rep. Noreen Kokoruda. 

We welcome the public to cheer on your favorite team and support two great causes, as we honor two great legislators who left us far too soon. Please consider bringing a non-perishable food item to donate to CT Foodshare, too.

To purchase tickets online, click HERE (there is a $2.25 fee for online purchases), or purchase at the gate. 

To learn more about the Q Fund at the Middlesex County Community Foundation, click HERE.

To learn more about the Sarah Foundation, click HERE.

Tax Day is coming up! Individuals and businesses can find resources, tutorials and more through the Department of Revenue Service's myconneCT online center.

Visit drs.ct.gov/eservices to get started.