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A big thank you to all those who came out to the East Hartford Legislative Town Hall last week. It was great hearing from all of you. Next week I will be hosting a very important panel discussion centered around two bills that I have proposed this session regarding groundbreaking Neuromodulation treatment for Veterans in the hopes of tackling the Veterans Suicide Epidemic happening in this country.
You can read more about that below along with much more:
- Veterans with Disabilities Task Force
- East Hartford Legislative Town Hall
- File Your Taxes For Free
- Students Can Apply to Join CT Board of Education
- CT DOT Safety Reminder
- Community Events
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| Veterans with Disabilities Task Force Panel Discussion |
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U.S. Veteran Suicide is preventable and there is a groundbreaking procedure and a public health approach that is essential to reduce the suicide rate, identify & raise visibility of existing resources, and identify gaps in services and find solutions.
I have proposed two important bills this session regarding Neuromodulation treatments for Veterans:
- HB 5339: An Act Establishing a Center of Excellence For Neuromodulation Treatments For Veterans at the University of Connecticut in Collaboration with Hartford Healthcare Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
- HB 5820: An Act Concerning Funding to Establish a Center for Neuromodulation Treatment for Veterans
On Wednesday, February 26th at 10:00 A.M. at the LOB I will be hosting a panel discussion with the Veterans with Disabilities Task Force along with doctors, patients, and the makers of the device used in the Neuromodulation brain surgery.
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| Here is a clip from our last Task Force Meeting in September describing the importance of this groundbreaking Neuromodulation procedure. |
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It was a full house for the East Hartford Legislative Town Hall last week, thank you to everyone who attended!
East Hartford is a passionate community and your participation and input made for great conversation. The East Hartford Delegation is committed on continuing to work on a better future for you.
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| Free Sources to File Your Taxes |
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There are several free resources available this year for anyone who needs to file state and federal taxes.
You can use the IRS Direct File Tool, which is a new option for anyone who lived and earned all their income in Connecticut last year.
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The federal government is also offering the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program, which offers free tax preparation services to eligible taxpayers. Here is some of the eligibility date for VITA:
- Household income less than $68,000
- If self-employed, business expenses should be less than $35,000
- No income from a rental property
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Don’t miss out on this opportunity to save money when filing your taxes!
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| Students Can Apply To Join CT Board of Education |
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Do you know of a public school student who wants to participate in statewide education policy? If so, please encourage them to apply now to potentially serve on the Connecticut State Board of Education! The selected students, who will soon enter their senior year, will serve a one-year term, beginning July 1, 2025.
Take a look at the graphic below for application requirements.
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The governor will appoint two public school students who will lend an important perspective to deliberations on the State Board of Education. The selected students will not have voting privileges.
Participants must complete their application, and it must be received by mail or email by Monday, March 17.
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The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is issuing a critical safety reminder for all motorists: if you experience a breakdown or emergency on a highway, the safest place to be is inside your vehicle.
Highways are designed for vehicles traveling at high speeds, and even a brief moment outside your car can have deadly consequences. CTDOT want all motorists to be informed and prepared to make the safest choices during roadside emergencies.
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CTDOT advises drivers to follow these critical safety tips in the event of a breakdown or emergency along the highway:
- Pull Over Safely: Move your vehicle into the right shoulder. If you can, position your car so it’s entirely off the roadway and away from moving traffic.
- Call for Assistance: Use your phone to call 911.
- Stay in Your Vehicle: The safest place to be is inside your car. Keep your seatbelt fastened, turn on your hazard lights, and wait for help to arrive. If you are unable to stay in your vehicle due to fire, find a location away from both the burning vehicle and from the travel lanes.
- Be Visible: At night or during inclement weather, ensure your hazard lights are on and use any reflective gear you have.
- Avoid Exiting the Vehicle: Never stand or walk on the highway, even if you think traffic is light. The speed of passing vehicles can make it difficult for drivers to react in time to avoid hitting a pedestrian.
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On Sunday, February 23, at 2:00 P.M. presenters Carl Cruff and Keith Lindstrom, who have 76 years of engineering experience at Pratt & Whitney between them, will provide an overview of Pratt & Whitney Engines and the 100 year history of leadership and technical innovation for aircraft propulsion.
CLICK HERE to register.
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East Hartford Public Library is offering free tax preparation services to families with household income of up to $60,000. IRS-certified Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers will help you prepare and file your taxes, teach you new ways to save, and provide tips to help stretch your refund.
Remaining available dates are on the following Sundays: February 23, March 2 & 30 and April 6 &13 from 1:00 P.M. to 4:30 P.M.
***Registration is required. Call 211 to make an appointment.***
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