Lamont unveils $45M tax cut for working poor

By Keith Phaneuf

© The

Connecticut

Mirror

Gov. Ned Lamont unveiled plans Monday to cut state income taxes for more than 211,000 working poor families by an average of $211 over the next year.

The governor’s proposal to bolster the state Earned Income Tax Credit is aimed at families that generally will earn between $64,000 and $46,500 in 2023 and would become available with tax returns filed in the winter and spring of 2024.

Lamont is expected to complement this proposal with a broad middleclass income tax that involves the first rate reduction since 1995. The governor will present more details when he presents his budget for the next two fiscal years to the General Assembly on Feb. 8.

“Increasing this tax credit is one of the most impactful things we can do to target direct relief to low-income workers who are providing for their families,” said Lamont, who discussed his EITC proposal during a midday press conference at the Wilson-Gray YMCA Youth and Family Center on Albany Avenue in Hartford.

Eligibility for the EITC is tied both to income and household size.

According to the federal Internal Revenue Service, a single filer with three or more children must earn no more than $56,838 in 2023 to qualify. Those with fewer or no children face a lower income threshold.

See Tax cut, A11

Senior Health

The Orchards

The Orchards at Southington, an independent and assisted living community located at 34 Hobart St., will host an open house Saturday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Visitors will learn more about how the concerns of a personal home can be put aside for the perks of a senior living community, safety precautions and supportive services. Registration is recommended. To reserve a time, call Antoinette Ouellette, retirement counselor at The Orchards, at 860628-5656.

Church

From A1

Announcing the positive news on social media, East Berlin Methodist Church said, “We are grateful for the prayers and well wishes from our community.”

According to its website, East Berlin Methodist Church can trace its roots in the community back to 1864 “when a group of people were gathered as the East Berlin Methodist Episcopal Church.”

The group’s first church building was completed in 1876, followed by the current structure in 1896.

”Ever since its beginning, several generations of families were baptized, married and grew in faith of Christ here at EBUMC,” the church website states.

Those wishing to support the rebuilding of East Berlin Methodist Church can send donations to: EBMC, P.O. Box 265, East Berlin, CT 06023.

Obituaries

Richard Alan Rampone

KENSINGTON- Richard

Alan Rampone, 81, of Kensington, passed away peacefully on Saturday, January 28, 2023. Born in New Britain, he was the son of the late Aldo and Mildred (Motto) Rampone. Upon graduating from New Britain High School in 1959, Richard enlisted in the United States Marine Corps, stationed in Camp LeJeune, NC, and San Diego, CA, where he worked as a draftsman and received the rank of Lance Corporal. His dedication to public service then continued as a Patrol Officer with the Berlin Police Department for 30 years (K9 officer, 8 department commendations).

Richard also retired from Sears after 16 years of “working/shopping” and fully stocking his family members’ toolboxes, leaving each of his paychecks in the tool department. His public service continued through volunteerism in various clubs and organizations such as The American Legion Post 68 (Chaplain of the Year 2014, Assistant Service Officer), The Knights of Columbus of Berlin (Fourth Degree Knight), The Hardware City Marine Corps League (Commandant), The Department of CT Marine Corps League (Commandant), Silver City Detachment member, Interstate Police Officers

Association (Secretary), Moose Club of Berlin (Governor), Berlin Republican Town Committee member, Sacred Heart Church reader, Town Council member, Marine Corps Thrift store volunteer, Soldiers, Sailors and Marine Fund (State Representative). His greatest and proudest accomplishments in his 81 years, were being named New Britain Veterans Council Veteran of the Year 2002, his induction into the CT Veterans Hall of Fame Class of 2011, and named Marine of the Year in 2012. He remained true to the motto, “Once a Marine, Always a Marine”. Richard was the beloved husband of Donna (Revoir) Rampone for just shy of 50 years! Truly the love of his life right up until the very end. He was also predeceased by his sister Joan (Rampone)

Tagariello and husband