February 23, 2024

Dear JOHN,

This week, we paid tribute to one of my former colleagues who was a civil rights icon and a champion of the ongoing fight for equality for all: John Lewis. Read more below.

This week we celebrated what would have been Congressman John Lewis’s 84th birthday. John Lewis dedicated his life to the fight for racial equality, standing up for disadvantaged people everywhere and remaining relentless in his pursuit of justice. He was a champion of civil rights—and our nation is a better place because of him and his efforts.

His passing in 2020 was a tragic day for us all, but his legacy lives on through the work we do to advance the causes he held so dear. In his honor, I am proud to cosponsor and lead the fight to enact H.R. 14, the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act. The right to vote in free and fair elections is the bedrock of our democracy, but sadly, it has come under attack. Just over ten years ago, the Supreme Court gutted the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA) and unleashed a wave of discriminatory state laws targeting voters and restricting voting access. The John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act would undo many of these restrictive policies and restore the VRA to its full authority.

As the Ranking Member of the Committee on House Administration—which maintains oversight over federal elections—I’m committed to using my role to continue John Lewis’s efforts. Together, we honor the legacy of this trailblazer and continue the fight to help bring America closer to its foundational promise.

In just a few weeks, on April 8, Rochester will be in the center of a Total Solar Eclipse—for the first time in nearly 100 years! This is going to be a once-in-a-lifetime event not just for our community, but for those traveling to Rochester to be in the heart of the path of totality. I cannot wait to welcome neighbors and tourists alike to the many events taking place at the Rochester Museum and Science Center and across our community.

Astrophysicist Neil DeGrasse Tyson once said: “The day we stop exploring is the day we commit ourselves to live in a stagnant world, devoid of curiosity, empty of dreams.” Here’s to making sure that never happens by continuing to explore, discover, and celebrate the wonders of space together.

Click here to learn more about events happening in our community and where you and your family can witness this once-in-a-lifetime event!

 Tax Season Resources for Our Community 

The deadline to file a 2023 federal tax return or request an extension is April 15, 2024, which just under two months away. While this time of year can certainly be stressful, there are a number of resources available online and right here in our community to help make the process easier, including:

• The IRS Free File tool, which is available here.
• New York State was also chosen for the IRS’s Direct File pilot program, which allows eligible New York State residents to file their 2023 federal tax return directly with the IRS. To find out more information—and see if you or your family is eligible—visit directfile.irs.gov.
• Tax season often brings about many scammers and other bad actors, and it is important to stay vigilant. If you believe you or someone you know is the victim of a scam, you can file a claim here.
• For folks 50 and older, AARP offers assistance with tax filings. Visit their site here to make an appointment!
• Empire Justice’ CASH program is accepting tax preparation appointments for Tax Year 2023. Click here to complete their survey, schedule an appointment, or learn more about their available services.
• For additional information on the above deadlines, as well as helpful tips for making the filing process easier, please visit this page on the IRS website.
• If you have a more complex tax-related question, the IRS Office on East Avenue is a resource accessible to you. Visit their site here to get more information about in-person tax help.

As more resources become available to our community, I will continue to provide additional updates. In the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact my office or visit morelle.house.gov to learn more about how we can assist you and your family.

Warmest personal regards,

Joe Morelle

New York’s 25th Congressional District