Today, unemployment is at its lowest rate in more than 50 years, and 12 million new jobs have been created since President Biden took office. As we recover from the pandemic, I remain focused on efforts to strengthen Connecticut's workforce. 

With funding we delivered directly to Bristol from the American Rescue Plan, we launched BristolWORKS! last week, a partnership offering career training at no cost to residents for jobs in some of Connecticut’s most in-demand industries: manufacturing, early childhood education, health care, and technology. You can watch my remarks from the ribbon-cutting below. 

We passed the Inflation Reduction Act last year in Congress, funding critical customer service improvements at the IRS. I joined United Way and The Village for Families and Children to highlight some of the free tax preparation services available for most Americans who have not yet filed their taxes. Call 2-1-1 to find a Volunteer Income Tax Assistance site near you or visit IRS.gov/freefile to file your taxes online with a free guided tax preparation software. This year’s tax filing deadline is Tuesday, April 18th. 

Rep. Larson with United Way of Central and Northeastern Connecticut President Eric Harrison, President of The Village for Families & Children Galo Rodriguez, Lt. Governor Susan Bysiewicz, Governor Ned Lamont, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin, and Juan Berrios of the Human Resources Agency of New Britain 

The Pratt & Whitney F135 engine supports 16,000 workers across the First District and 27,000 workers statewide. After I led a bipartisan coalition in support of engine modernization, which would save taxpayers billions of dollars and secure thousands of Connecticut manufacturing jobs, I’m pleased President Biden endorsed our plan in his budget request. I visited Jarvis Airfoil, a Portland-based manufacturer and one of nearly 100 Connecticut suppliers of component parts for the F135, to celebrate the good news for our region. 

Rep. Larson with Jarvis Airfoil President Jason Jarvis 

To follow what I’m working on both in Washington and in Connecticut, visit my Facebook page, follow me on Twitter, or follow me on Instagram.     

Regards,

John B. Larson
Member of Congress