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Dear Friend,
This is my State Capitol update for the week of February 27.
Click the image below to view my video on this week’s events. |
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Here’s a list of today’s topics:
- Session Update. Click here.
- Women-Owned Business Day. Click here.
- Resources for Tax Season. Click here.
- GPCT Emergency Energy Assistance Program Reopens Next Week. Click here.
- CowPots Wins State Grant. Click here.
- Funding for Fresh Foods. Click here.
- ICYMI- CT Farm Business Exhibit at the Big E. Click here.
- ICYMI - Nominations for International Year of the Woman Farmer. Click here.
- Northwest Corner Events. Click here.
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This week, the General Assembly passed an emergency certification bill, SB 298, to provide immediate funding fixes and policy clarification for schools, workers, and critical state programs.
This bill gives needed guidance to school districts on construction projects, kindergarten enrollment, and budgeting as local school budgets are being finalized.
In addition, this legislation addresses workers’ compensation fairness, warehouse worker protections, police training, firefighter cancer relief funding, voter file protections, and federal child support compliance. This action ensures important programs and services can continue operating without delay. |
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| The public hearing schedule for the week of February 23rd is below. Show up, stay informed, have your voice heard! |
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The Women's Business Development Council (WBDC) will hold their annual Women-Owned Business Day on April 8 at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford.
This event is an excellent opportunity for women entrepreneurs to connect with legislators and discuss issues that impact small women-owned businesses daily.
Check out the graphic for more information. |
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The deadline to file your taxes is right around the corner. 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
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The Generation Power CT (GPCT) Emergency Energy Assistance Program will accept applications beginning Monday, March 2 through March 10. This program provides a one-time grant of up to $500 to help eligible Connecticut households with electric, gas, or fuel expenses.
Increasing energy costs are a challenge for many in the state, but through this program, GPCT has helped to provide families across Connecticut with secure access to heat, power, and water.
All GPCT energy programs are available to income-eligible households making up to 75% State Median Income (SMI) gross household income. Each income-eligible household that receives a GPCT Energy Assistance Award will receive up to $500 toward a future fuel delivery or toward a past-due utility bill. For the best chance of approval, and to make full use of this once-per-12-months grant. Please note: this is the last GPCT Energy Assistance Application Cycle this season.
Click here to learn more |
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CowPots was one of the 43 farms that received an award from the Connecticut Department of Agriculture’s highly competitive Farm Transition Grant.
CowPots has been awarded $23,255 in the Research and Development category to explore how commercial papermaking techniques and technology can be used to produce commercial-grade paper from cow manure. This innovative project highlights the creativity and forward-thinking leadership within our local agricultural community.
Congratulations to the CowPots team on this well-deserved recognition and continued success!
Click here to learn more. |
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The Ignite and Child Care Business Grant Program deadlines are fast approaching.
The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund, offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), provides grants of up to $25,000 to qualified licensed and aspiring child care businesses. The program offers grants targeting different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand. The application period for Child Care Business grants runs through tomorrow, February 28th. You can find more information on the Child Care Business Opportunity Fund grants here.
The Ignite Grant Program is designed to help women-owned businesses grow. The program offers grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in the state of Connecticut who have been in business for 2 or more years and have revenues between $25K and $2 million. The application period for Ignite grants runs through March 18th. You can find additional information on Ignite here.
Information sessions for both grant programs are scheduled throughout the application periods. These sessions will help applicants understand the grant requirements and provide an opportunity for those interested to ask questions about the grants. Interested applicants can register for a live information session here. |
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Connecticut farms, specialty food businesses, and agricultural organizations are invited to apply for exhibit space in the Connecticut Building at The Big E. Hosted by the Connecticut Department of Agriculture in coordination with the Connecticut Office of Tourism, the Connecticut Building showcases a diverse line-up of CT Grown businesses during the 17-day fair, which runs September 18 through October 4 at the Eastern States Exposition in West Springfield, MA.
With more than one million visitors entering the Connecticut Building each year, exhibitors have a unique opportunity to market their products, promote their services, engage new customers, and drive traffic back to their farms for on-site experiences. Special highlights include Connecticut Day on September 23 and Harvest New England Day on October 2.
Eligible applicants include agricultural businesses, nonprofit agricultural organizations, and entities with an agricultural mission that showcase the diversity of farming in Connecticut.
The application deadline is Monday, March 23 at 4:00 p.m. For more information or to apply, click here. |
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In 2025, the United Nations voted to declare 2026 as the International Year of the Woman Farmer. The U.N. thought it was important to highlight the role women play across food systems, while also acknowledging the specific changes they may face.
To celebrate, the Connecticut Department of Agriculture is collecting stories statewide to amplify the voices of women farmers. Click here for the nomination form.
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Community members are invited to attend a special screening of Uprooting Addiction: Healing from the Ground Up on Tuesday, March 31, 2026, from 6:00–8:00 p.m. at the Bantam Cinema & Arts Center .
This powerful film follows six individuals from Connecticut with diverse cultural and socio-economic backgrounds as they examine the childhood traumas at the root of their drug addictions. Through their stories—and insights from local officials, activists, citizens, and experts—the program explores meaningful solutions to an ongoing public health crisis.
Admission is free, and refreshments will be provided. Attendees are encouraged to RSVP by scanning the QR code on the flyer or visiting www.uprootingaddiction.com
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It is my honor to represent our district. I look forward to hearing from you about the issues raised in this newsletter, or any other topics you think I should know about. You can email me at maria.horn@cga.ct.gov or call me at (860)-240-8585. Thanks for reading, and I wish you a safe weekend.
Click here to forward to forward this email to a friend. |
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Sincerely,
Maria Horn
State Representative |
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