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It was great to be back in the House chamber this week with my colleagues. In the coming weeks, the State House and Senate will be meeting much more frequently to give final passage to bills that advanced through committees. Bills that passed through the House and Senate will then be sent to the governor's desk to be signed into law. I will keep you updated on all of the important bills the legislature passes.
Speaking of important bills, last week, the Appropriations Committee submitted a budget bill that was $16 million under the mandated spending cap. As reported in the news, this bill "focused on additional funding for human services, education, transportation and other public services."
This is not the final version of the bill, as now the legislature will begin negotiations with the governor's office to create an agreed-upon version before the legislature concludes their work on May 6. I'll be sure to keep you up to date on the latest developments.
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There were also some great events at the Capitol recently, including the filming of "Hopeville: How to Win the Reading Wars," and the LiveGirl Annual Advocacy Day at the Capitol.
Attending events like these gives me the opportunity to hear from all kinds of unique voices at the Capitol, and I'm grateful to be surrounded by so many passionate legislators and advocates!
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In the rest of this week's eblast, you can read about bills addressing affordability, the Passport to CT Libraries program, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
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Affordability remains a major challenge in our state. Alongside proposals to increase Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funding and ease pressure on local property taxes, several other bills are focused on tackling the broader financial strains that families face every day.
- Senate Bill 1: An Act Concerning Affordability includes several proposals aimed at lowering everyday costs, including eliminating the sales tax on clothing and shoes under $100, school supplies such as backpacks, and certain grab-and-go grocery items like sandwiches and coffee purchased from supermarkets. It also creates a caregiver tax credit for eligible expenses incurred while caring for a homebound family member. And for many seniors, its full exemption of Social Security benefits from state tax is one of the most significant proposals this session.
- Senate Bill 513: An Act Concerning Structural Efficiency in the Collection of State Revenue would allow employees to elect having the employer pay their payroll taxes, helping to reduce employees’ federal taxable income, while employees receive a refundable credit on their state taxes. The goal is to lower overall tax liability for working residents.
- House Bill 5114: An Act Establishing a Refundable Credit Against the Personal Income Tax for a Portion of Annual Rent Payments Made by a Taxpayer for a Primary Residence in the State would provide renters with a property tax credit of up to $2,500 per year, recognizing that renters also feel the strain of Connecticut’s high cost of living and deserve meaningful relief.
- House Bill 5538: An Act Concerning a Study of State Finance Policies is part of a broader effort to make Connecticut more competitive with neighboring states and create an environment where businesses can grow and succeed here.
Together, these proposals reflect a focused effort to ease the financial pressures facing Connecticut families, from lowering everyday costs and providing tax relief, to supporting seniors, caregivers, renters, and working residents.
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Connecticut’s Renters’ Rebate Program is now open to eligible renters who are elderly or living with a disability and meet certain income requirements.
Qualified applicants may receive rebates of up to $900 for married couples and $700 for single individuals. The rebate amount is determined using a graduated income scale, as well as the total rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made during the previous calendar year.
Applications must be submitted through your local municipality’s assessor’s office or a designated social service agency. The application period is now open and will run through September 30. Please note that no extensions are permitted, and all applications must be received by the municipality no later than September 30.
Click here for more information about eligibility requirements and how to apply. |
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Access Health CT is reminding customers who receive help paying for their health insurance premiums to report any changes in household income to AHCT when they happen.
This can help prevent unexpected costs at tax time. |
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Federal financial help available through AHCT can significantly lower monthly insurance premiums.
The amount of help customers receive is based on household size and estimated annual income. If that income changes, it must be reported to AHCT.
If changes are not reported when they occur, individuals may receive more assistance than they qualify for and may have to repay the difference to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).
Eligible customers can choose to receive their financial help in two ways:
- A one-time tax credit when filing their federal income tax return for the year.
- Monthly payments are sent directly from the federal government to their insurance company to lower premium costs throughout the year. Individuals who choose this option must reconcile the amount they received when filing their tax return for that year.
Free help is available online, in person, and over the phone.
Customers can visit AccessHealthCT.com and click the “Get Help” button for a full list of resources. Customers can chat live with an Enrollment Specialist by clicking the “Live Chat” icon on the website.
A list of Certified Brokers is also available. These brokers can help customers understand their options and answer any questions. Working with a broker is free.
To get help over the phone, customers can call 1-855-805-4325, Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Help is available in over 100 languages. Customers who are deaf or hearing impaired may use TTY at 1-855-789-2428 or call with a relay operator.
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As you begin spring cleaning, clearing out old medications is an essential step toward a refreshed and safe home. National Prescription Drug Take Back Day, administered by the DEA, will take place Saturday, April 25. This event provides residents with a free, convenient way to safely dispose of unwanted, unused, or expired medications at local collection sites. The DEA partners with local law enforcement agencies across the United States to host this event in local communities like ours.
You can click here to use a locator tool to find your nearest disposal site. |
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Host sites will collect pills and capsules, as well as prescription and over-the-counter medicines. The DEA cannot accept liquid, sharps, or needles. Trained volunteers will be present to handle collected materials and ensure safe disposal. Any medication you wish to dispose of should be presented in a clear, sealed bag. Loose pills or capsules will not be accepted.
If you are unable to attend the event, MyOldMeds.com offers a Locator Tool to help you find the nearest disposal site year-round. There are more than 29,000 verified locations in all 50 states that have secure unwanted or expired medicine disposal kiosks, and/or provide free in-home disposal kits upon request. Additionally, the Locator Tool provides disposal site hours of operation, hours of collection, what is collected, and other helpful information. |
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Governors of all six New England states (Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont) issued a joint statement to explore advanced nuclear energy by:
- Maintaining existing nuclear plants by directing state energy offices to work with ISO New England, plant owners, and federal partners to ensure safe, reliable, and affordable operation
- Exploring advanced nuclear energy in willing communities, including financing models, federal support, public-private partnerships, and consumer protections
- Prioritizing local input, emphasizing community-led decisions on potential sites
Regional electricity demand is projected to rise over 40% in 20 years, with winter peak demand doubling by 2045 (per ISO New England). In 2025, Governor Ned Lamont further advanced Connecticut’s leadership in nuclear energy via Public Act 25-173, which enables towns to opt into hosting new nuclear generation by supporting development at Millstone, and funding early planning. The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) will be conducting a statewide public engagement effort to guide future advanced nuclear deployment that is slated to launch later this year.
The Bottom line: New England is preparing for major energy demand growth by preserving current nuclear power and cautiously advancing next-generation nuclear with strong local involvement.
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The Passport to Connecticut Libraries program is back will take place from now–April 30.
Visit your local library to pick up your official program passport along with a list of participating libraries across the state. Then the adventure begins - explore as many libraries as you can throughout April!
Visit at least five different participating libraries and collect stamps from those locations (only official participating libraries count, be sure to check your list). Then, once you’re done, be sure to return your completed passport by May 11 to be entered into a prize drawing.
With nearly 200 public libraries in Connecticut—plus school, college, museum, and even church libraries—there’s an incredible variety to discover. Each library offers something unique, and this program is a fun way to experience all the amazing things libraries across the state have to offer.
So grab your passport and start exploring, your next favorite library might be just around the corner!
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Sincerely,
Rebecca Martinez
State Representative |
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