Dear friend,  Thousands of new residents continue to move to the Tampa Bay area and that has put a squeeze on housing. We need more housing that is affordable. We need more affordable apartments, where people can rent and still have money for groceries. We need to do this in a sustainable way that also provides relief from exorbitant electric bills. The redevelopment of Robles Park Village will help as the current 430-unit community is slated to be rebuilt with 1,500 modern apartments across its 35 acres in Tampa Heights.  Last year, when I visited with residents, they highlighted the need for a more cohesive neighborhood and a community hub for neighbors.
Representative Kathy Castor

Dear friend, 

 

Thousands of new residents continue to move to the Tampa Bay area and that has put a squeeze on housing. We need more housing that is affordable. We need more affordable apartments, where people can rent and still have money for groceries. We need to do this in a sustainable way that also provides relief from exorbitant electric bills. The redevelopment of Robles Park Village will help as the current 430-unit community is slated to be rebuilt with 1,500 modern apartments across its 35 acres in Tampa Heights.  Last year, when I visited with residents, they highlighted the need for a more cohesive neighborhood and a community hub for neighbors.
 
 
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Yesterday, I was proud to announce community funding for the new Robles Park Smart Housing Hub.  The residents, Tampa Housing Authority, Mayor Jane Castor and Commissioner Gwen Myers – all partners – were there to celebrate. This 30,000 sq. ft next-generation community center will serve Robles Park residents and neighbors from Tampa Heights, Ybor and South Seminole Heights as well. It is critical that our neighborhoods are safe, connected, inclusive and supportive for all. Plus, energy efficiency and solar could provide significant cost-savings.
 
 
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Thank you to the residents who made the case and urged me on.
 
 

SKILLS CENTER RIBBON CUTTING
 
 
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The Skills Center in East Tampa celebrated its long-awaited ribbon cutting! I am proud of the community partnerships that made this happen. I was proud to secure $3 million dollars for this community project to ensure we invest and provide opportunities for our youngest neighbors.


Learn more about the Skills Center here.
 
 

FILE YOUR TAXES FOR FREE TODAY!
 
 

Thanks to President Biden and House Democrats’ historic Inflation Reduction Act, Floridians have access to a new, free and easy tax filing tool! Check out all the resources to save you money and time when you file your taxes this year.


1. United Way Suncoast also offers free remote tax filing assistance through onsite certified volunteers or over the phone or computer help. Click here for assistance.


2. AARP provides free tax assistance with several preparation options now through April 15. Click here to find service types offered at your local Tax-Aide site and work with IRS-certified tax counselors or receive access to free self-preparation tax software.


3. Floridians have access to the IRS Direct File pilot, which offers a new way to file your 2023 federal tax return online. If eligible, you can file for free directly with the IRS. Click here to begin your free filing today.


I’m committed to lowering costs for you and your family. In addition to the free tax filing made possible by the Inflation Reduction Act, there are a wide array of clean energy and home improvement tax credits that are available to you today to take advantage of this filing season especially if you upgraded or are planning to upgrade your ac/heat pump or add solar.

 

Collectively, these tax credits are expected to save Americans $38 billion on their electricity bills. You can join in on these savings by utilizing the: 

  1. New Electric Vehicle Tax Credit: Up to $7,500 
  2. Used Electric Vehicle Tax Credit: Up to $4,000 
  3. Electric Vehicle Charger Tax Credit: Up to $1,000 
  4. Residential Clean Energy Upgrades Tax Credit: An uncapped 30% tax credit for residential clean energy upgrades such as the purchase or installation of solar panels, solar water heaters, geothermal heat pumps and battery storage systems.
  5. And more!

If you weren’t able to take advantage of these benefits this year, you can always access these tax credits for the next tax season. And this is just the beginning. There is much more support coming down the pike this year for energy-efficient upgrades and savings with the Inflation Reduction Act’s home rebate program.

Here’s the full list of benefits and cost savings that you and your family could access today!
 
 
 

HAVE YOU UTILIZED ANY OF THE COST-SAVING INITIATIVES FROM THE INFLATION REDUCTION ACT?

  
 
 
YES
 
 
 
NO
 
 
 
I DON'T KNOW
 
 
 
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VOTES LAST WEEK
 
 

H.R 7521 – As a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party(CCP), I extensively considered the TikTok divestment bill.  By passing the bill, Congress is working to protect access to TikTok while addressing the national security threat posed by the CCP. Americans value their privacy and security. They do not like to be tracked, surveilled, followed, fed propaganda, or manipulated by the CCP. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, which is headquartered in Beijing and is subject to control by the CCP. The CCP currently works to undermine American interests, steal our technology, and suppress human rights. Meanwhile, TikTok gathers massive amounts of personal data that can be used to target, surveil and manipulate Americans. That’s why national security officials strongly recommend TikTok end its relationship with the CCP through sale or divestment.

 

H.R. 6276 – USE It Bill—This legislation harms employees by requiring them to be in the office at least five days a week to be counted towards occupancy. It also penalizes flexible work policies for families and hybrid schedules.

 

H.Res 1065 – House Republicans Criticize Border Policies While Refusing to Fix Them – The House could be working towards a bipartisan compromise to update our legal immigration system for the first time in over 30 years; instead, House Republicans are insisting President Biden enact cruel enforcement policies that did not work or were stayed by the courts under President Trump.
 
 

MY COMMITTEE WORK
 
 

Last week in the Energy and Commerce Health Subcommittee, two of my bills passed, making their way to the full Committee!
 
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Together, we can address the serious maternal and infant health crisis of stillbirth.


My SHINE for Autumn Act is critical to improve outcomes for mothers & babies and address long-standing disparities among racial and ethnic groups during pregnancy.
 
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Children require unique, specialized medical care in emergencies, including the more than 2 million kids in Florida who visit an emergency room each year.


The Emergency Medical Services for Children (EMSC) Reauthorization Act will increase EMSC funding to support continued improvements to pediatric emergency medical care.
 

As always, you can call my office at (813) 871-2817 or (727) 369-0201.


I hope to see you soon!

 

Sincerely,
lc


Kathy Castor

Member of Congress
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