Free Tax Prep, Affordability Bills, and more

April 2, 2026

Dear Friends,

To all who are observing Holy Week, I hope this season offers you comfort, meaning, and a chance to pause and reflect. May it be a time of renewal, hope, and quiet strength.

Committees Concluding Their Work

The legislature continues to conclude committee work, advancing bills to the House and Senate for full votes. You can view the bills passed out of the Judiciary Committee here, and the Finance, Revenue, & Bonding Committee here.

You can also read some news coverage about the Finance, Revenue and Bonding Committee's work here.

Free Tax Prep Assistance

A reminder that with the tax deadline approaching on Wednesday, April 15, now is the time to take action if you haven’t filed yet. There are several free resources available this year for anyone who needs to file state and federal taxes.

The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program offers free tax help for low-to moderate-income (under $58,000) people who cannot prepare their own tax returns. Volunteers, sponsored by various organizations, receive training to help prepare basic tax returns in communities across the country. Visit Connecticut's 2-1-1 website and the Free Tax Help page for VITA assistance updates, or visit the IRS Site Locator.

AARP's Tax-Aide Program, a partnership between the AARP Foundation and the Internal Revenue Service, provides free tax counseling and preparation services to middle-and low-income taxpayers, with special attention to people age 60 and older. Many sites will e-file your federal and Connecticut returns at no cost to you. Visit the AARP Tax-Aide Site Locator to find a location near you.

The UConn Law School Tax Clinic is a pro bono (free) legal clinic that provides free legal help to low-income taxpayers with tax problems, either with the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) or the Connecticut Department of Revenue Services (DRS). Lisa Perkins, Clinical Professor & Director, and law students will work on your case. The Tax Clinic also works with attorneys in Connecticut who volunteer to help low-income taxpayers pro bono. The Tax Clinic is independent and separate from the IRS and DRS. It is important to note, that the UCONN tax clinic is only able to assist individual taxpayers with Connecticut income tax problems. Contact Lisa Perkins at lisa.perkins@uconn.edu or 860-570-5165

Key Bills Addressing Affordability

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.

Energy Consumption and Conservation

During a recent Energy and Technology Committee meeting, an energy expert testified about how we can keep our oil and gas costs in check.

While there isn't much that can be done concerning the current cost of commodities, residents can control consumption through conservation, according to the expert.

That incudes the following:

Drive your vehicle the speed it's built to be driven. That means driving the speed limit, which is a great way to conserve fuel.
Inflate your vehicle's tires.
Homeowners should call their fuel companies and schedule annual preventative furnace and boiler maintenance, including burner cleaning and efficiency testing.

You can click here to watch that testimony.

Amazon Texting Scam

Have you received a suspicious text claiming to be from Amazon? You’re not alone, and it’s likely a scam.

The Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection is warning residents about fraudulent messages that:

Claim an order was “recalled”
Urge you to click a link to confirm a refund

🚫 Do NOT click the link
📵 Block the number immediately

Image of the scam text

How to Spot the Scam

Links that look unusual or misspelled
URLs that do not include the official company name
Messages creating urgency or asking for quick action

Stay Safe

If something doesn’t look right, trust your instincts. When in doubt, go directly to the company’s official website instead of clicking any links.

Exploring Advanced Nuclear Energy

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.

Passport to CT Libraries Program

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!

Workforce Pell Grants

Governor Ned Lamont announced that the state will implement new federal Workforce Pell Grants through the Connecticut Office of Workforce Strategy (OWS), marking a major expansion of financial aid for short-term, career-focused training.

Enabled by H.R. 1 Workforce Pell expansion, the policy allows low-income students to use Pell Grants for programs lasting 8–15 weeks (150–599 hours). Previously, only programs at least 15 weeks and 600 hours qualified. This change is designed to open faster, more flexible pathways into high-demand fields, especially for working adults and non-traditional learners.

OWS will coordinate a broad statewide effort involving agencies and institutions such as the Connecticut Office of Higher Education, Connecticut Department of Labor, Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, and the University of Connecticut, along with workforce boards and credentialing bodies. The goal is to align training programs directly with employer needs and regional labor shortages.

To qualify for Workforce Pell funding, programs must meet strict performance and quality standards:

Align with high-skill, high-wage, or in-demand industries

Lead to a recognized, stackable postsecondary credential

Achieve at least a 70% completion rate and 70% job placement rate

Result in wages above the state median for high school graduates

Be in operation for at least one year

The initiative is intended to strengthen Connecticut’s talent pipeline while making education more accessible and outcomes-driven. Workforce Pell Grants are scheduled to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Olive Branch Prom Shop is Now Open

Prom season is right around the corner. Every high school student should have an opportunity to attend if they so choose - the cost should not be a hurdle.

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is holding an Olive Branch "Prom Shop". Any high school student that is receiving or has received DCF support is eligible for a free grown or suit. The shops have a variety of options to ensure that students look sharp on their special night.

To help these students in need, DCF is collecting gently used prom gowns, men's suits and tuxes, fancy shoes, and accessories, such as ties, jewelry, and purses. Please see the list of drop off locations below.

Please reach out to Jacqueline Ford (Jacqueline.Ford@ct.gov) if you have any questions.