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Dear Friend,
It's been a busy week in eastern Connecticut, and I'm here with an update on a bill to help homeowners cover the costs of crumbling foundations, new Infrastructure Law funding for East Hampton, and lots more. As always, thanks for stating your weekend here with me.
A Bill to Deliver Relief for Homeowners with Crumbling Foundations
Today in Vernon, I joined colleagues and incredible grassroots, homeowner advocates to unveil a bill which would bring to tax relief for homeowners who have borne the brunt of the crumbling foundations crisis. Our bill, the Casualty Loss Deduction Restoration Act, would bring back a provision within the IRS tax code which allows homeowners to defray the costs of fixing a home plagued by crumbling foundations.
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| Today, Rep. Courtney joined Rep. John Larson, Sen. Richard Blumenthal, state and local government officials, and Connecticut homeowners and advocated to unveil the Casualty Loss Deduction Restoration Act |
Since the crumbling foundations crisis showed its face in 2015, my office has worked non-stop to find solutions and support for affected communities. In 2017, Rep. John Larson and I successfully worked with then U.S. Secretary of Treasury Steve Mnuchin to ensure the cost of repairing crumbling home foundations was covered as an insurable casualty loss deduction in IRS tax code. Unfortunately, just a few months later, our new provision was eliminated within a bill passed by Congress, and homeowners who had their home repaired after 2021 could no longer claim a casualty loss deduction. Restoring this method to help homeowners cover the cost of repairs would be another key piece to address crumbling foundations.
I'm glad to say that the Casualty Loss Deduction Restoration Act has strong bipartisan support from around the country. Click below to watch my full remarks from today in Vernon.
Later this afternoon, I visited the UConn School of Engineering to meet with a team of researchers performing free testing for pyrrhotite, the chemical which causes concrete foundations to crack. This is extremely important work, and in the 2023 federal budget, I secured $4,000,000 in Community Project funding to support their testing.
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| Today, Rep. Courtney joined (left to right) Jim Mahoney, Maria Chrysochoou, and Kay Wille of UConn's crumbling foundations research team, UConn President Radenka Maric, and crumbling foundations advocate Debbie McCoy to discuss UConn's free pyrrhotite testing program |
Importantly, the research conducted at UConn shows that crumbling foundations is not just an issue which affects portions of Connecticut and Massachusetts, but that other states are dealing with deleterious minerals too. Today made clear that Federal officials hear the concerns mounting around this crisis and we are taking important steps to address it. Thanks to Kay Willie, Maria Chrysochoou, and Jim Mahoney of the research team and UConn President Radenka Maric for providing an update on what they've learned about the effects of pyrrhotite in concrete foundations. The program is now accepting applications for free testing. Click here to learn more.
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| In the 2023 federal budget, Rep. Courtney secured $4,000,000 to support UConn's free pyrrhotite testing program |
The Infrastructure Law Delivers for East Hampton
Economic growth is stymied by abandoned properties contaminated from prior use. On Monday, we announced East Hampton will receive $500,000 in federal funding to assess these sites – an important first step toward redevelopment.
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| On Monday, Rep. Courtney joined East Hampton Town Manager David Cox (left) and Chair of East Hampton’s Brownfield Redevelopment Agency Ryan Baldassario (right) to tour abandoned sites which the town plans to clean up using a new grant from the Infrastructure Law |
I joined Town Manager David Cox and Chair of East Hampton’s Brownfield Redevelopment Agency Ryan Baldassario for a tour of two sites on Watrous Street that need redevelopment. It took great leadership and persistence from Town Manager Cox and Chairman Baldassario to secure this funding – which comes straight from the Infrastructure Law I voted to pass in 2021.
This Infrastructure Law funding comes through the EPA’s Brownfields Assessment Grant program. Towns across the second district have received funding through this program, including to support New London’s efforts to cleanup blighted properties. In East Hampton, the funding will prepare the town for future growth and create new opportunities for the community. Thanks to Town Manager Cox and Brownfield Redevelopment Agency Chairman Baldassario for hosting me and updating me on this project.
Recognizing Volunteers for their Service to Eastern CT's Veteran Community
The Veterans Coffeehouse series has helped thousands of veterans in eastern CT receive benefits and services – and build a nurturing community. Today, I joined AmeriCorps CEO Michael Smith at the Mystic Veterans Coffeehouse to present awards to local veterans, family members, and a service companion who have dedicated their time to build this series and keep it going strong.
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| On Thursday, Rep. Courtney and Americorps CEO Michael Smith presented awards to local veterans, family members, and a service companion who have dedicated their time to building the Veterans Coffeehouse series in eastern Connecticut |
It was a great honor to present awards to Barry Russack (USN, Ret.) and his companion Rosie (seen on a leash in front), Walter Keach (USAF, Ret.), Susan McArdle (USCG, Ret.), Noreen Arao (USAF, Ret.), Gus Zupka (USN, Ret.), Garry Miller (USN, Ret.), Carol Coyle, family member of a veteran, and Peter Kulas, family member of an active duty servicemember.
The work of these fantastic volunteers is more important than ever as the Honoring Our PACT Act is ushering in one of the largest VA health care expansions in history. The bill was signed into law last year and since then, over 1,000 veterans in the Second District have filed new VA claims related to the PACT Act. Now, we need to ensure every veteran and their families are aware of new presumptive created by the PACT Act. Click here to learn more.
Visiting Stonington's New Veterans Monument
After the Mystic Veterans Coffeehouse on Thursday, I stopped by the new Stonington Veterans Monument. The monument honors all who have served our nation since World War I and call Stonington, CT home. It opened last month at the Stonington Police Department after years of work by First Selectwoman Daniele Chesebrough and the Veterans of Foreign Wars 1265 Harley P Chase Post and the vision of Tony Lombardo.
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| On Thursday, Rep. Courtney visited the new Stonington Veterans Monument with First Selectwoman Daniele Chesebrough (right) and her Administrative Assistant Stacey Haskell (right) |
A key part of the monument is an eight panel art installation created by local Stonington artists, which was funded by the American Rescue Plan. After we passed the Rescue Plan in 2021, it delivered federal funding to our towns to help them take on wide-ranging projects. One of the intended uses of funding is projects like this one which creates a more vibrant, connected community. Thanks to First Selectwoman Chesebrough and the Stonington community members who worked so hard to complete this excellent project to honor local veterans.
Celebrating Independence Day at the Willimantic Boom Box Parade
I hope you had a wonderful Independence Day with friends and family! Despite the threat of rain, the 38th annual Boom Box Parade brought out thousands in Willimantic on July 4th. I had the pleasure of joining them to celebrate our nation’s independence – declared 247 years ago on Tuesday.
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| On Tuesday, Rep. Courtney joined thousands at the Willimantic Boom Box Parade to celebrate Independence Day |
The parade was led by Grand Marshall Wayne Norman, the color announcer of UConn sports for over 40 years – Wayne was sporting some serious NCAA championship bling! In October he will be getting 5th NCAA Men’s championship ring!
Thanks for taking some time to read my update. If we can be of any assistance, don’t hesitate to give my Norwich office a call at (860) 886-0139. Have a great weekend!
Sincerely,
Joe Courtney
Member of Congress
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