Aundré Bumgardner

TAX CUT

Tax relief on multiple fronts is on the way after the governor signed our bipartisan budget into law this week. It includes the largest reduction in the income tax in state history. Here are some of the highlights:

• An income tax cut for the middle class that reduces the two lowest marginal rates. Specifically, the 3% rate on the first $10,000 earned by individuals and the first $20,000 by couples will decrease to 2%. The 5% rate on the next $40,000 earned by individuals and the next $80,000 by couples will decrease to 4.5%. These benefits will be capped at individual filers who earn $150,000 and couples who earn $300,000. It is estimated that one million tax filers will benefit from the rate cuts.

• An increase in the Earned Income Tax Credit for low-income workers from the current rate of 30.5% of the federal credit to 40%. The Earned Income Tax Credit is a refundable state income tax credit for low-income working individuals and families that mirrors the federal credit. 

• An expansion of existing exemptions on certain pension and annuity earnings to benefit seniors. Specifically, the budget eliminates the retirement income tax cliff by adding a phase-out for allowable pension and annuity and IRA distribution deductions against the personal income tax.

 

WHAT'S YOUR REP BEEN UP TO?

I joined Jack Leary of CUSH - Clean Up Sound and Harbors and volunteers to conduct their biweekly water quality monitoring at Palmer Cove. We talked about our local ecosystem and why reliable and consistent data is critical to understanding it. CUSH wants to add Haley Farm, Tanglewood, and Esker Point Parks to its monitoring program.

Sampling takes place Saturday from May through October every other week within 90 minutes of sunrise. The full process takes about two hours.

If you're interested in becoming a volunteer, email CUSH Board member Fran Pijar by clicking here or call (860) 912-8714. You can also send Jack Leary an email here or call (860) 319-7568.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you to those who stopped by my regular coffee hour at the The Ditty Bag Market and Cafe last weekend! It was a pleasure answering questions about this past legislative session, listening to your concerns, and giving a rundown on the session’s impacts in Groton, Stonington, and Eastern Connecticut. I look forward to seeing you again at the next coffee hour!

It was a beautiful Flag Day celebrating the brand-new Town of Stonington Veteran’s Memorial Monument! Thank you to our veterans! CLICK HERE to learn more about the monument.

It was an honor to attend a naturalization ceremony on Flag Day at Mystic Seaport Museum to celebrate 50 newly naturalized citizens from 29 countries! Congratulations to them along with their families!

CLICK HERE FOR A SLIDESHOW

The Greater Mystic Chamber of Commerce and Just Mystic held two ribbon cuttings to celebrate one year of partnership! The visitor center has a new, breathtaking mural sponsored by Mystic Aquarium, a play called "Where's Juno?" and all kinds of Mystic apparel! Congratulations, Rob, Amanda, Bruce and the entire GMCC team for your collaborative efforts and all you do for the Mystic community!

Congratulations to Stonington High School Senior Class of 2023 for your achievements! The Stonington legislative delegation was honored to recognize Valedictorian Diya Patel and Salutatorian Sandra Allen-Fernandez!

HELP FIGHTING CLIMATE CHANGE

The Town of Groton is receiving $200,000 to develop a town-wide climate resilience plan that looks at all hazards. It will go along with a town-funded climate mitigation plan. This funding enables Groton to develop a comprehensive action plan that will make our town more resilient to flooding, and sea level rise.

This project is part of the inaugural round of funding from The DEEP Climate Resilience Grant Project, awarding $8.8 million in grants to 20 other projects around the state.

CELEBRATING JUNETEENTH!

Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in our country. This important holiday was not in the main stream for several years, but thanks to the tireless work of advocates, it is now rightfully recognized throughout the U.S. 

During the 2022 legislative session, several of my colleagues spoke passionately on the House floor about why Connecticut needed to make Juneteenth a legal state holiday. The bill received bipartisan support and was signed into law by Governor Lamont. This is the first year it will be officially observed as a state holiday.

The practice of slavery did not end when President Abraham Lincoln signed the emancipation proclamation in 1863 or when the Union won the Civil War in 1865. In fact, some communities were not informed of their freedom for another two months following the war. On June 19, 1865, a group of Union soldiers traveled to Galveston, Texas and announced that all enslaved individuals were now free. They were among the last group of Americans to be notified of their freedom.
 
Although Juneteenth is a celebration, we must also take time to reflect on the horrors of slavery and how it impacts us to this day. As your state representative, I will continue to push for legislation that promotes equity and inclusivity.

Check out the community events section to see where you can can celebrate Juneteenth in the 41st district!

Click Here to Read More About the History of Juneteenth

MUSEUM APPLICATION FOR FREE ADMISSION!

All museums are invited to apply NOW for CT Summer at the Museum Grants! The money will be used to make it easier for museums to give free entry to children 18 and under along with an adult caregiver between July 1 and September 4.

The deadline to apply is Friday, June 23.

CT Humanities and the CT Office of the Arts will administer the CT Summer at the Museum Initiative in 2023. All 501(c)(3) non-profit museums should apply through CT Humanities. For-profit museums should complete an applications with the CT Office of the Arts.

START YOUR APPLICATION

READ ELIGIBILITY GUIDELINES

Please email grants@cthumanities.org for any questions.

HYDRANT FLUSHING SCHEDULE

Groton Utilities is wrapping up its water main flushing and testing programs. Customers living in the neighborhoods below should expect intermittent intervals of water discoloration this week during the water main flushing process. Hours of flushing are from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm, Monday through Friday. 

Affected Groton Public Utilities customers this week:

• Avery Hill
• Aljen Heights
• Colonel Ledyard Highway
• Shewville Road
• North End Section of the City
• Long Cove Road - Ledyard
• Crystal lake Road
• Bailey Hill Rd
• Military Highway
• Route 12 - Gales Ferry Area to Preston Line
• Route 117 to Ledyard Line and all side streets

COMMUNITY EVENTS

Join the Mystic Seaport Museum to celebrate Juneteenth on June 19 from at 2 p.m. for the one-woman show “Harriet Tubman: Woman with a Railroad” at the Performance Stage. It’s a post-Civil War portrayal of Tubman showcasing her faith, courage, and commitment to freedom and inclusion.