|
|
|
|
| Friends and Neighbors,
I hope this message finds you and yours well!
Today I attended a policy convening at the White House on child care with First Lady Dr. Jill Biden and members of the Biden Administration. I am humbled beyond belief for this invitation, where we focused discussion on three major areas: affordability, access, and workforce.
As Vice Chair of the Higher Education & Employment Advancement Committee in Connecticut, the development of our childcare workforce and supporting this industry so that kids and families can thrive is a high priority of mine. We can and must do better to make advancements each year on this issue.
On a personal note, my mom was a home daycare provider and led a home daycare association across the Valley when I was growing up. I'm thinking of her today too. |
|
| COFFEE WITH KARA THIS FRIDAY! |
|
|
| Please join me this Friday, July 21, from 8 – 9 am in the back room of the Valley Diner, 636 New Haven Avenue in Derby for my Community Coffee Event to talk about how we can improve our district and state together. |
|
| Connecting with my constituents at my regular community coffee event and having conversations about improving our community is one of my favorite parts of this work. Your thoughts and ideas stick with me when I craft policy and advocate for Ansonia and Derby at the Capitol. I proudly host these events to encourage open dialogue and to promote community participation in our democratic process.
I hope to see you there! |
|
| WHAT HAS YOUR REP BEEN UP TO? |
|
|
It was a joy to celebrate Derby’s own Jim Gildea as he received the Charles H. Flynn Humanitarian Award at the Valley United Way’s Annual Meeting. A huge congratulations to Jim and Jamie Cohen of Shelton, who both received the honors.
Ms. Seila Mosquera-Bruno, Connecticut Department of Housing Commissioner, was the keynote speaker, as nonprofit leaders, business leaders, and officials continue to focus on relieving housing shortages that have particularly hit working and middle class residents hard. She highlighted $800m in new state funds marked for partnering with developers to expand housing for all in the state. |
|
Jim has done so much for our community and state as the Chair of Derby’s Board of Education, Chair of the CT Commuter Rail Council, Chair of ManufactureCT, Board member for the state’s technical school council, Director of Manufacturing for Bigelow Tea, and so much more. His daughter also shared that in spite of all of his commitments, he never missed sports games and other important moments in their lives—a testament to his deep love for his family first and foremost. Jim: congratulations my friend. Well deserved honors for one of the Valley’s best!
|
|
| ANSONIA SENIOR CENTER OPENING |
|
|
It was great to celebrate the opening of the Ansonia Senior Center with so many in our community! What a joy to see everyone together and enjoying themselves.  |
|
| LOWER VALLEY JOB FAIR RECAP |
|
|
We had an amazing turnout and time at the Lower Valley Job Fair a few weeks ago! It was great to see so many of you making moves to find new/improved jobs and careers. I also want to thank all the employers and nonprofits who came out to meet the people of our region.
We are looking forward to hearing success stories and will be back next year with another big jobs fair right here in the 104th for the community.
|
|
 |
| State Representative Kara Rochelle at the Lower Valley Job Fair |
|
My colleagues and I delivered on our promise to lower taxes for middle and working class residents. According to a report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Connecticut is a leader on tax relief for low- and middle-income earners. The $500 million in tax cuts specifically benefit people in communities like ours.
Below are some of the highlights of tax relief we passed this year:
- Lowering the income tax rates to save many middle-class households $300-$500 a year
- Raising the state income tax credit from 30.5% to 40% of the federal Earned Income Tax Credit - saving $210 on average for households earning less than $60,000 per year
- Providing additional financial security for retirees by expanding who qualifies for tax exemptions for certain pension and annuity earnings
|
|
| MYCTSAVINGS INFO AND DEADLINE |
|
|
Attention Business Owners: The Deadline to sign up for MyCTSavings is August 31st! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to offer retirement savings to employees at no cost to you through this state program. It’s easy and simple to enroll, and fully optional for your employees if they choose to participate.
EMPLOYER BENEFITS
-No cost for employers
-Getting started is fast, easy, and secure
-Works seamlessly with any payroll process
-Stay competitive by offering a great benefit to your employees
-Requires very little time and administration
SAVERS BENEFITS
-It’s your money — your account and funds go with you as your career changes
-Secure, simple way to save for retirement
-Flexible contribution levels to meet your needs
-It’s voluntary — stay enrolled automatically or opt out and re-enroll later
-Access to people and online tools to help answer your questions
|
|
| SPOTLIGHTING LOCAL EXCELLENCE |
|
|
The Valley came in strong in CT Insider’s Best of Connecticut list for 2023!
Congratulations to all the winners and finalists:
Best Bagels in CT: A.M. Bagel
Best Ice Cream in CT: Rich Farm Ice Cream Shop
Best Pizza finalist: Roseland Apizza
Best Wings finalist: Dew Drop Inn
Best Donuts finalist: Donut Crazy
Best Pick-Your-Own Farm finalist: Jones Family Farms
What’s your favorite hidden gem in the Valley? There are so many deserving spots. |
|
Please join me in extending a huge, heartfelt congratulations to our newly inducted Fire Chiefs for Ansonia. These individuals not only keep us safe, but lead our firefighters and keep them safe, prepared, and supported in their most important work for the people of our community. Congratulations to all, and thank you for your service gentlemen.
|
|
It's BACK! FREE ADMISSION FOR KIDS!
Free Museum Admission for Kids!
CT Summer at the Museum is back!
From July 1 to September 5, Connecticut children ages 18 and younger, plus one accompanying adult, can visit participating museums for free!
|
|
|
Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts and concerns you may have on Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.
All my Best,
Kara Rochelle
State Representative
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
