|
Dear Friend,
After a busy week in Congress, I'm here with an update on funding for local workforce development programs, protecting America's children, and more.
Thanks for starting your weekend here with me, and congratulations to the 2024 National Champions UConn Husky men and the 2024 Final Four participants UConn Husky women on phenomenal seasons!
Passing Bipartisan Workforce Development Funding
Eastern Connecticut is the fastest growing labor market in our state, and local skills training programs are making record hiring possible. This week in the House, I enthusiastically voted to reauthorize the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), the legislation which funds these training programs.
 |
| On Monday, Rep. Courtney highlighted the success of eastern Connecticut's WIOA-funded Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative. Click here to watch. |
Despite record low productivity in the 118th Congress, the House-passage of the WIOA reauthorization is a bipartisan win that will create quality career pathways for job seekers, help employers meet skilled labor needs, and grow our entire economy.
Back in 2015, eastern Connecticut’s Manufacturing Pipeline Initiative (MPI) program was launched using a $6 million WIOA grant from the U.S. Department of Labor. As of 2023, nearly 3,500 graduates from the program have been hired in quality manufacturing careers – many at Electric Boat.
In a moment when there are 9 million job openings nationwide and Electric Boat plans to continue record hiring in 2024 with 5,200 new workers, the House-passed WIOA authorization is critically needed. The Senate should act swiftly and send it to the President’s desk to be signed into law.
Protecting America's Children
The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC) provides critical, life-saving help for families, law enforcement, and child protection agencies. Its work is particularly important today to protect children online.
This week, I led House-passage of a Senate companion bill which provides NCMEC with the latest, up-to-date resources to perform their work at a higher efficiency – responding to crimes affecting children, supporting youth who are missing, and preventing child sexual exploitation and victimization.
 |
| Rep. Courtney led bipartisan House passage of the Missing Children’s Assistance Reauthorization Act, a Senate companion bill, with Rep. Aaron Bean. Click here to watch Rep. Courtney's floor speech, urging passage of the bill. |
I know the impact of NCMEC in our state because my wife, Audrey, is a pediatric nurse practitioner at Connecticut Children’s Hospital and works in the child protection unit. The unit provides highly skilled medical help to victims of child abuse and assists law enforcement in the apprehension, arrest, and prosecution of perpetrators. NCMEC is instrumental to healthcare workers nationwide like Audrey.
Hopefully, we will reach a time when there is no need for NCMEC. But unfortunately, we are not there today, and it is our solemn duty to America’s children to strengthen NCMEC.
Joining a New Housing Development Ribbon Cutting in New London
I’m working in Congress, with our towns, and with local eastern Connecticut organizations to lower housing costs.
Last Friday, I joined state and local public officials and Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities Inc. in New London for the ribbon cutting of a new housing development at 433 Bayonet Street. The development has 28 new mixed-income units. Six units are specifically designated for residents with intellectual disabilities or autism.
 |
| At the ribbon cutting, Rep. Courtney joined New London Mayor Michael Passero, Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities Inc. President and CEO Julie Savin, CT Department of Housing Commissioner Seila Mosquera-Bruno, CT HUD Field Office Director Suzanne Piacentini, State Sen. Cathy Osten, State Rep. Anthony Nolan, and others. |
The ribbon cutting marked the opening of Phase I of this development. On Friday, we also marked the groundbreaking of Phase II which will add another 36 units – also mixed-income with seven designated for residents with disabilities or autism. The Phase II building is expected to be completed in Summer 2025.
Another effective approach we can take to building new housing is rehabilitating unused properties. As a 2024 Community Project, I worked with Eastern Connecticut Housing Opportunities Inc. to secure over $1.6 million to rehabilitate single-family homes in New London and Windham counties into new affordable housing.
The Bayonet Street development is made possible by combination of private funding, state funding, state tax credits, and the federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC). Earlier this year, I helped pass bipartisan legislation in the House which would expand LIHTC and encourage more investment by developers to build mixed-income housing. The Senate should pass this bill swiftly.
Resources & Tips for Tax Filing
We are just a few days away from the Monday, April 15th tax filing deadline, and I want to share some helpful resources from the IRS.
Reminder: residents in New London County have until June 17th, 2024 to file their various federal individual and business tax returns and tax payments. This is due to the impact of this past winter's flooding. Learn more about the deadline extensions here.
If you need help finding a reputable Tax Return Preparer, the IRS has a directory of preparers along with their credentials. Search preparers near you here.
We must stay vigilant during tax season to protect ourselves from scam attempts. Scammers often attempt to impersonate the IRS or other government officials. Remember: the IRS and other government agencies will never call you, email, text, or message you on social media for personal information or payments.
View the IRS's "Dirty Dozen" frequent scams list here.
Reminder: 2024-2025 FAFSA Resources for Students & Families
Lastly this week, a quick reminder on available FAFSA resources for students and parents. To watch a webinar which provides guidance on filling out the 2024-25 FAFSA form, click here.
For additional online resources and to start a form, click here.
As we approach college decision day in May, I will continue to push Department of Education Officials to provide students with the clear financial aid information they need. On Wednesday, in a House Education and Workforce Committee hearing, I highlighted New London's Mitchell College for their great work to connect students to financial aid.
Thank you 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
|
