Marcus Brown

Dear Neighbor,

I hope you’ve had a great week.

We had a very busy week at the Capitol. The governor gave his state of the state on Wednesday, announcing significant tax cuts for most residents. 

 

On Thursday, the House was in session to vote on an emergency certification securing fiscal guardrails, investing in families and the economy, paying down debt, and saving for the future.

Below is a more detailed explanation of the emergency certification.

 

As always, contact my office if you have questions or need help.



Have a great weekend!

As we continue to progress steadily through the current session, it is important that we continue to build upon past legislative successes that have allowed Connecticut to keep moving forward.



This week we voted to continue one of these successes by securing the fiscal guardrails that have allowed the state to cut taxes, invest in families and the economy, pay down debt, and save for the future.



Thanks to our work, we have:

• Cut over $650 million in taxes
• Paid off billions in pension debt

Invested in preschool education and children's mental health programs

It's only fitting that we start our Black History Month highlights with our very own Q Williams, a fierce legislator, advocate and friend. He was a champion for social and racial equality, human rights, accessible housing for all and supporting youth programs to help prepare them for successful futures.



Q was always expanding his knowledge and growing as a public servant. Here are some of the incredible accomplishments this rising star achieved:

• Earned a Bachelor's in Business Administration from Bryant University
• Earned a Master’s of Public Administration from Villanova University
• Earned an Diversity and Inclusion Certificate from Cornell University
• The first Black person to be elected to represent the 100th house district in the Connecticut General Assembly
• House Chair of the Labor Committee
• Co-founder of the educational nonprofit EquityC
• An adjunct professor at University of Hartford
• A proud member of the CT Black and Puerto Rican Caucus
• A proud member of the Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc. Beta Sigma Lambda Chapter, Hartford, CT

The trailblazing list can go on and on...but most importantly, Q was known for his warmth, optimism and infectious smile. 

The Connecticut Department of Housing is launching a new fund to assist renters who are on the verge of being evicted from their homes due to owing past due rent. Utilizing $12.5 million in funding from UniteCT and the Rent Bank, the Eviction Prevention Fund will provide households with up to $5,000 to pay off past due rent with their current landlord.

 

To apply, tenants must call the UniteCT Call Center at 1-844-864-8328 and be screened for eligibility. Eligible applicants will receive direct assistance from a local UniteCT Resource Center, where they will complete the application. If a tenant requires but does not have legal representation, access to mediators at Quinnipiac University’s Center on Dispute Resolution will be provided

As we continue to pursue more long-term solutions to reduce rising costs of energy, I wanted to make you aware of an upcoming outreach event to help residents access critical financial assistance from United Illuminating (UI) and Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG), through the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP), the Community Renewal Team (CRT) and Operation Fuel. 



Speak one-on-one with representatives from the above groups on Wednesday, January 25 from 4PM-7PM at the East Side Senior Center (268 Putnam St, Bridgeport, CT) to discuss hardship and assistance programs you may qualify for.

If you are unable to attend the event and would like to learn more about programs available, click here for UI and here for SCG.