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| WBDC’s 12th Women-Owned Business Day is today, the day we celebrate women-owned and led small businesses in Connecticut. Have a look at how instrumental the organization has been for businesses in our area below. |
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Have a look at the schedule for the day, including one notable client competing for a $25,000 grant!
Schedule for the Day (approximate times)
- 9:00 am – Registration/Networking
- 10:15 am – Welcome remarks
- 10:50 am – Remarks from our Sponsors: The Cigna Group and Liberty Bank
- 11:00 am – WBDC Accelerate Grant Pitch Competition -- WBDC clients compete for grants of $25,000 for their businesses
- 12:15 pm– The Power of Civics: A Conversation with CT Secretary of the State Stephanie Thomas and WBDC CEO Fran Pastore
- 12:50 pm – Announcement of Accelerate Grant Recipients
- 1:00 pm – Closing remarks
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Our short session continues with committee meetings, private meetings, and more. We have work to do before the close of session on May 6. I will keep you updated on what's up and what we've done.
We'll be in session today and Thursday. You can always follow along on CT-N right HERE. |
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Please join us at Dunkin’ Park in Hartford on Monday at 4:30 PM, as Democratic and Republican legislators face off for the 5th annual CGA Kickball Classic!
This event is open to the public, and everyone is encouraged to come out and enjoy the game. Tickets are $10, and all proceeds this year will benefit United Way of Connecticut. All players are also required to purchase a ticket. Doors open at 4:00 PM.
You can buy tickets HERE.
Tickets can be purchased in advance or at the door on the day of the event.
Parking Information is HERE.
I hope to see many of you at the game for a fun afternoon at Dunkin’ Park, while supporting a great cause!
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| I am looking forward to this event, especially after last year. Legislative Day, in a nutshell, was a good time had by all. I expect nothing less this time around. |
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You can take part in this nationwide effort on April 25th or any day.
Safely dispose of unused prescription medications, over-the-counter medications, and liquid medication bottles at a participating CVS location, including 372 West Main Street in Norwich.
The drug take-back units are conveniently located in the Pharmacy Waiting areas.
Bring in your unneeded or expired medication and dispose of medications in the unit! |
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Thanks again to all who attended the informational forum for the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NoFO) through the Social Equity Council's Reimagine and Revitalize (R2) Program.
We had a nice turnout! |
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Through the R2 Program, the Social Equity Council is investing $12M annually in:
- Economic development
- Re-entry support
- Youth Initiatives
This forum was a great opportunity to connect with organizations and provide them with the resources needed to best serve our community.
If you are interested in learning more, please click here.
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Access Health CT (AHCT), Connecticut’s official health insurance marketplace, 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.
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 its 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.
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Before 2026, there were limits on how much certain customers had to pay back if their income increased during the year. Recent federal legislation removed the repayment caps on how much customers have to repay when income increases above the estimated amount used to determine financial help. Therefore, customers must update their accounts if there is an income change.
“Keeping your information up to date with Access Health CT is the best way to make sure you’re receiving the right amount of financial help and avoid unwanted surprises when you file your taxes,” said Access Health CT Chief Executive Officer James Michel. “If you have questions about your insurance or changes in your household income, we encourage you to contact us. We are here to help Connecticut residents understand their options and get the assistance they need.”
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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The Judiciary Committee voted to advance legislation that would expand restrictions on where Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents can operate in Connecticut.
The bills would prohibit ICE from entering places of worship and hospitals, ensuring that our residents are not afraid to seek medical care or practice their faith.
Connecticut is already one of the safest states for immigrants in the country, and we do not need the federal government's heavy-handed enforcement tactics to keep our communities safe.
Attorney General William Tong has voiced his support for these measures, noting that immigrants and their families have a right to be protected from violence and intimidation.
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Image credit WLRN
The Committee also held a public hearing earlier in March on several bills aimed at increasing state oversight of federal law enforcement officers, including SB 91 and SB 397, which would expand the definition of "peace officer" under state law to cover all federal law enforcement agents — not just those dealing with narcotics.
Connecticut Inspector General Eliot Prescott testified that the state has a broad sovereign interest in ensuring that all officers, including federal agents, comply with Connecticut law.
While these proposals continue to be refined, the Committee is committed to ensuring Connecticut has the tools it needs to hold everyone accountable under the law.
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Windsor Patch
In a significant bipartisan achievement, the Judiciary Committee approved a compromise bill that would prevent license plate reader data from being shared with federal immigration authorities.
This legislation was the product of a broad collaboration among lawmakers on both sides of the aisle, the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, the ACLU of Connecticut, the state Judicial Branch, and the Department of Transportation.
Under the bill, license plate data retention would be limited to 30 days, and after 7 days, police would be required to obtain a judicial warrant to access the information.
The legislation strikes a careful balance: it preserves the ability of law enforcement to use this technology to solve crimes and protect our communities, while ensuring that residents' civil liberties are not compromised and that the data is not misused for immigration enforcement, reproductive health care investigations, or other purposes unrelated to public safety.
As Senator John Kissel, the ranking Republican on the Committee, noted, the warrant requirement after seven days is a crucial safeguard against "open-season fishing expeditions".
The bill now heads to the House for a floor vote. Local law enforcement agencies are already updating their policies to align with these new standards.
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The Judiciary Committee held a significant public hearing on SB 503, a bill that would expand early parole eligibility for individuals who committed crimes when they were under the age of 26.
Over 200 people, including incarcerated individuals and their families, submitted testimony in support of the proposal. The bill is grounded in well-established neuroscience showing that the brain does not fully develop until around age 25, particularly in areas governing impulse control and long-term decision-making. |
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Under the proposed legislation, a person who committed a crime before turning 26 would become eligible for parole after serving 60% of a sentence of less than 50 years, or 30 years of a sentence of more than 50 years.
Importantly, the bill does not mean automatic release — the Board of Pardons and Paroles would still make individual determinations about whether a person has been rehabilitated. Advocates and researchers have pointed to Connecticut's own data showing that only about 1 in 10 individuals released under similar earlier laws have returned to prison, compared to a general recidivism rate of 40% to 49%.
This is about being smart on justice — acknowledging that people can grow beyond the worst mistakes of their youth while still respecting the needs of victims and communities.
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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 of 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. |
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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.
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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. |
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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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| With the tax deadline approaching on April 15th, 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. |
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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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