Dear Neighbor,
It is an honor to serve as your state representative and work on your behalf in Hartford.
The 2021 legislative session was different this year, due in part to conducting business remotely for the majority of the time. However, we successfully passed over 350 bills and resolutions including support for our schools, small businesses, seniors, families and non-profits.
I am proud of the work I accomplished during my first session by securing solid funding for Meriden, Middlefield and Rockfall, including programs to help our residents stay in their homes in the years ahead.
If you have any questions on any of the new laws from this legislative session, please reach out to me at 860-240-8585.
All my best,
Michael D. Quinn
Investing In The People Of Meriden, Middlefield & Rockfall
- Provided more families a break on their state income tax through the Earned Income Tax Credit
- Eliminated state income taxes on IRA income over time, beginning in the 2023 tax year
- Repealed the poverty tax to stop the state from taking back cash and medical assistance when individuals fight their way out of poverty
- Provided legal representation when facing eviction
- Increased protections on homes, cars, and bank accounts when someone falls into debt
- Created a new workforce pipeline program for individuals with disabilities
- Expanded childcare services for parents who are working on their education
- Created a grant program to reimburse volunteer firefighters in distressed municipalities for training and certification costs, and waived the cost of background checks
- Increased property tax breaks for volunteer firefighters and first responders
Restarting Our Economy
- Provided millions of dollars to small businesses and start-ups over the next two years
- Created more partnerships with banks to provide low-interest loans for underserved communities, women and minority-owned businesses
- Prioritized economic investments in companies that hire veterans, women and people of color
- Incentivized companies to do more local job training and workforce development
- Provided relief to our local restaurants by creating a tax-free day, allowing continued alcohol to-go and delivery sales, and cut red tape to make outdoor dining a permanent option
Supporting Our Schools, Teachers & Students
- Provided funding for the “Right to Read” act - $12.8 million to help school districts like ours with reading curriculum, intervention and coaching
- Required schools and hospitals to offer information about behavioral and mental health services for children
- Fought for better mental health services on college campuses
- Established a student loan forgiveness program for early childhood educators, a personal income tax credit for certain employees of child care service providers, and expanded eligibility in the Care4Kids program for certain parents and caretakers
- Banned surprise graduation fees at CT colleges and universities
- Established better rates on student loans for teachers in Alliance Districts
- Fully funded free community college – meaning students can work on their associate degrees without having to pay tuition out of pocket
Fighting For Healthcare
- Expanded workers’ compensation benefits for PTSD to cover emergency medical responders, corrections workers, dispatchers, and health care providers who were on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic
- Fought for better insurance coverage for breast health, including a tax exemption on breastfeeding supplies
- Ensured more reliable and equitable tests for blood oxygen levels and prohibited insurance companies from making coverage and benefit decisions solely on the results of these tests
- Continued coverage for, and access to, telehealth
- Provided new health care coverage to 40,000 low-income residents and families
- Modernized our breastfeeding laws by requiring employers to provide a private area for mothers to express milk, with access to a refrigerator and electrical outlet
- Declared racism a public health crisis and created a Commission on Racial Equity tasked with eliminating health disparities
- Allowed children, stepchildren and other dependent children to retain dental and vision insurance coverage under their parents’ insurance policies until the age of 26
Helping Our Veterans
- Established a tourism trail that showcases our veteran and military destinations
- Ensured funeral benefits for qualified veterans
- Established the National Purple Star School Program to assist military families moving into the state with school registration, planning, counseling and other support services
- Directed state colleges and universities to update the credits they can award based on military training
Budget 2022-23
No Tax Increases & New Tax Relief
- Maintained historic Rainy-Day Fund ($3.5 billion)
- Paid down legacy pension debt
- Supported non-profits
- Helped avoid strikes at nursing homes and group homes
- Increased the Earned Income Tax Credit to give tax breaks to seniors
- Rejected tax hikes on gasoline and insurance policies
More State Funding For Our District
I successfully fought to secure more state funding for our schools, small businesses, roads, and non-profits. I am hopeful that these additional state funds, along with federal funds coming from the American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA), will help our towns balance local budgets and hold the line on property taxes.
“Our budget cuts taxes for the middle and working classes, increases funding for our towns and small businesses, invests in social services after years of cuts, and helps those who were hit hardest by the pandemic.”