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As session gets started, I continue to seek out opportunities to hear about what is most important to you. Last weekend, I participated in the League of Women Voters of Greater Hartford Legislative Breakfast. Joining me were State Senator Derek Slap, State Senator Matt Lesser, State Representative Tammy Exum, State Representative Mike Demicco, and a special guest, former State Representative and Secretary of the State Miles Rapoport.
Many thanks to the LWV for hosting this event and all they do to support voting rights and civic engagement in our communities.
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And a quick reminder, if you haven't completed my legislative survey yet, please take a minute to complete it here.
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One of the top issues I hear from residents about is housing. Due to the rising costs of housing, the number of people experiencing homelessness has increased for the past three years in Connecticut and rose about 13% from 2023 to 2024. There has been a 25% increase in request for housing and shelter through the state's 211 system, more than any other type of assistance.
Last week, I joined a full room of legislative colleagues, nonprofit providers and community members to support every effort to end homelessness in our state.
There are 5000 people experiencing homelessness right now in our state including 500 children. It doesn’t have to be this way. We can and must do better. I'll be advocating for funding and policy efforts to reduce homelessness and develop more affordable housing this session.
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As a member of the Finance, Revenue & Bonding Committee, I've continued to fight to create a fairer tax system. In 2023, I worked to pass legislation that required our Department of Revenue Services to create the state's first tax gap study. The tax gap is the gap between what taxes are owed and what taxes are paid. In the report that was released this week, Connecticut has a nearly $3 billion tax gap of unpaid taxes from individuals and corporations. Although the Department of Revenue Services does dedicate staffing to recover these taxes there is much more we can do.
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By addressing this tax gap and collecting the revenues that are owed, we would have the resources to fix our tax system to provide tax cuts for the middle class and working families and a permanent child tax credit. Read the full report here.
In addition to this latest report, I joined Treasurer Erick Russell's briefing for legislators about the financial health of our state. From pension management to unclaimed property to baby bonds, the Office of the Treasurer plays a significant role.
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Learn more about the Treasurer's office here and how to access the benefits of CHET (Connecticut Higher Education Trust) or Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) accounts. CHET is a state-sponsored, tax-advantaged 529 college savings plan that's helping families and individuals plan for the cost of higher education. The federal Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) Act became law in 2014. It gives individuals with disabilities the opportunity to establish tax-deferred savings accounts to maintain their independence.
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The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is awarding Connecticut approximately $11.6 million from President Joe Biden’s Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to increase and extend service along the CTrail Hartford Line. The money will further expand rail services and improve customer service for riders along the corridor. The federal grant will be matched by approximately $13.4 million in state funds from the Connecticut Department of Transportation.
Since its inception in 2018, the CTrail Hartford Line has grown significantly, spurring economic development and investments throughout the corridor.
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In total, the CTrail Hartford Line Expanded Enhancement Project will:
- Add one weekday round trip from New Haven to Hartford
- Extend the weekend 6456, 6457, 6458, and 6459 trains to Windsor Locks station
- Continue previous 2020 funding for the addition of two weekdays trains between New Haven and Springfield
- Enhance connectivity of the existing rail service along the Northeast Corridor
By 2030, the CTrail Hartford Line Expanded Enhancement Project is projected to increase ridership by about 90,000, saving drivers more than 100 million miles traveled, over 3.5 million gallons of fuel annually, and over 25,000 metric tons of reduced carbon emissions per year.
For more information on the Hartford Line, visit HartfordLine.com.
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The General Assembly has a LGBTQ+ Caucus to focus on the important needs of the LGBTQ+ community in our state. The caucus members want to hear from CT residents about how the legislature can best support LGBTQ+ individuals and families. As an ally of this caucus, I wanted to share this opportunity with you.
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On Tuesday, January 21st from 12:00P.M. to 5:00P.M. the LGBTQ+ Caucus will hold virtual office hours.
Click here to schedule a time to meet with the caucus.
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| STATE AND LOCAL RESOURCES |
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This coming Monday, January 20th from 10:00A.M. to 11:30A.M. join in the Celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. at the West Hartford Town Hall Auditorium.
It will also air live on West Hartford Community Interactive, Comcast Ch. 5, Frontier Ch. 6098, whci.online, and YouTube.
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On Wednesday, January 22nd at 10:00A.M. at Memorial Hall in the Connecticut State Library at 231 Capitol Ave in Hartford, come celebrate the inspiring life and career of Governor Ella Grasso on the 50th Anniversary of her inauguration!
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Learn about Ella's life from keynote speaker Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz. This will be a great opportunity to view archival artifacts from Ella's political career that are not usually on display to the public.
This event is FREE, to learn more and RSVP click here.
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The state’s severe cold weather protocol will go into effect from Sunday, January 19 at 6:00P.M. through Friday, January 24 at 12:00P.M.
Anyone who needs shelter or a warming center is urged to call
2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org to get connected to vital services and read a list of available locations. Transportation can be provided if necessary.
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