The Progressive Action Roundtable mission is to inform the greater New Haven community about the activities of many progressive groups, so that people may learn about them and become involved in discussions and actions on issues for the common good, such as peace, health, racial equity, justice, clean energy and the environment.
Get your taxes done for free at the New Haven Free Public Library! Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) volunteers are available at all five library locations this year. Make an appointment for help at one of our four neighborhood branches or drop in for help at Ives Library, 133 Elm St., during their walk-in hours. For more information, visit https://nhfpl.org/taxhelp2026.
by Heather Robison, New Haven Free Public Library Foundation
The New Haven Free Public Library Foundation is thrilled to announce the launch of What the Library Means to Me, sponsored by BLOOM and curated by Kulturally LIT. What the Library Means to Me will be a citywide-authored program book for community members to share their personal stories and reflections on the significance of the New Haven Free Public Library in their lives. This initiative is designed not only to celebrate the library’s pivotal role in our community but also to create a citywide-authored booklet that will preserve participants’ heartfelt narratives for generations to come.
The campaign aims to engage library patrons of all ages—children, teens, and adults. Through various methods of story collection, including online submissions, social media engagement, and in-person storytelling workshops, we hope to gather a diverse array of experiences that highlight the library as a cultural and educational hub.
Community members can submit their stories via email (charitablegiving@nhfpl.org), share on social media using the hashtag #NHFPLibraryStories, and participate in live storytelling events at the library branches. For more information on how to participate, visit NHFPL.org or contact Heather Robison at charitablegiving@nhfpl.org.
The campaign will culminate in a community event, the NHFPL Foundation’s highly anticipated annual Mardi Gras event: The Big Easy at Ives, taking place 5:30-8:30 p.m. on Feb. 17 (storm date: Feb. 20 at 5:30-8:30 p.m.) at Ives Main Library, 133 Elm St., where the collected stories will be presented and Claire Criscuolo and Shamain (Sha) McAllister will be honored for their contributions. For info and tickets: https://tinyurl.com/nhfplmardigras or email charitablegiving@nhfpl.org.
by Hamden Seed Library
The Hamden Library Seed Library offers a wide variety of veggies, herbs, and ornamental seeds, free for all. While the Seed Library will be open during all regular Miller Library hours, we will have staff on hand twice a week to offer guidance. Staffed hours will be Thursdays 1-4:30 p.m. and Saturdays 2-4:30 p.m., from Feb. 2 through June 6.
While many of the seeds donated to the Seed Library are from the previous growing year, all have a lot of life left! In addition, through the generosity of the Friends of the Library, we are able to purchase a limited amount of “high-value” seeds, such as tomatoes, which don’t often come to us via donations. And we are excited that more and more of our local gardeners are contributing seeds to share.
The Miller Library is at 2901 Dixwell Ave. in Hamden.
by Sasha Allen Jan. 16, 2026, DataHaven
Wealth and income inequality are projected to increase in Connecticut under President Donald Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill,” with high-income residents seeing average tax breaks of nearly $10,000 and low-income residents paying an average of $417 more annually.
According to a new study released by DataHaven, the legislation will exacerbate wealth and income inequality primarily through rollbacks on some Medicaid and SNAP qualifications and tax cuts favoring high-income Americans.
Some towns, including Greenwich, Darien and New Canaan, could see average annual tax breaks of more than $30,000 for high-income residents, according to the study.
The returns from the bill are heavily skewed toward high-income households. Greenwich will see an estimated $262 million in tax relief, Stamford will see $239 million and Fairfield will see $158 million. Greenwich has some of the highest levels of income inequality in the state, according to U.S. Census data.
Bridgeport, the most populous town in the state, will receive an estimated net change of $60 million, with $61 million in tax relief going towards high-income households. The bottom 25% in Bridgeport will lose — primarily through cuts to SNAP, Medicaid and other social service programs — more than $14 million, and low-income households are projected to pay an average of over $1,000 more annually.
Norma Martinez HoSang is the director of Connecticut for All, a statewide coalition of labor, community, and faith organizations. She said the state already has an “upside down tax system” that H.R. 1 will make worse.
“In Connecticut and across the country, over the last many decades, what we’ve seen is the very wealthy continue to get like tax breaks, definitely at the state level,” HoSang said.
[To read the article in its entirety, see https://bit.ly/3ZtCFe7]
by Chris Schweitzer, New Haven/León Sister City Project
Rock to Rock is moving ahead for this spring, working with over 20 partner organizations to take real action in response to the climate emergency, and raise critical support for local environmental organizations. 2026 rides include 5, 12, 20, 40, 60-mile, and two Family Rides in East Rock Park, plus hikes in East Rock Park and West Rock Park. Join the fun Saturday, April 25. All rides start and end at East Rock Park, with a Green Fair, live music and food trucks. Register at rocktorock.org.
by Lucy Marinelli, Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven
Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven returns with their organic vegetable gardening classes to help get you ready for gardening season.
Our classes are hybrid and offered as individual classes or in bulk. Thanks to the generous support of the Greater New Haven Green Fund this year, we are able to offer the classes cost-free to community gardeners and area residents. Your donation is always greatly appreciated!
This year, we’re offering the following classes on Saturdays from 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.:
More detailed class descriptions can be viewed at https://bit.ly/3Zsgm8H.
All classes are held 10 a.m. – noon on Saturday mornings at 333 Sherman Ave. (Building 3), New Haven, CT 06511. For more information and to register for the classes, please call (203) 562-0598 or email Kathy Fay at kfay@nhsofnewhaven.org.
Since 1979, Neighborhood Housing Services of New Haven has been strengthening neighborhoods by developing affordable housing and increasing homeownership opportunities; providing homebuyer education and financial coaching; making homes safe, beautiful and energy efficient; and working to improve the communities in which we are working by helping residents take charge of their neighborhoods.
We send out a quarterly newsletter so you can stay up to date on our real estate development project, community events, classes and more! To see the latest newsletter and sign up:
December 2025 Newsletter: http://bit.ly/49lEVdq
Newsletter sign-up: http://eepurl.com/ggu0fz
This winter film series will raise the issues faced by women as clerical workers, factory workers, and teachers from across the nation. All of the films will allow time for questions and discussion. Advance registration is required.
Made in L.A. — Saturday, January 31
When We Fight — Sunday, February 1
9to5: The Story of a Movement — Saturday, February 7
9to5: The Story of a Movement — Sunday, February 8
Norma Rae — Saturday, February 21
For all details about the films, their times and locations, and to register, please go to https://bit.ly/4sVdq29.
Click for full size.
The City has now secured additional funding from the state to create a new warming center space at the existing 645 Grand Ave. shelter.
To find shelters and warming centers in Connecticut, call 211. In New Haven, there is also a list at bit.ly/4pcAbLV. More information is at newhavenct.gov/homeless.
We ask our readers to print out the list and have copies on hand to give to people in need of a warm, safe place.
Please submit copy to PAR at parnewhaven@hotmail.com. 350 word limit. Questions? Call Paula at 203-562-2798. The next issue is our February issue. Let us know what your group has planned!
Subscription: $13 for 10 issues, check payable to
PAR
608 Whitney Ave.
New Haven, CT 06511
by Henry Lowendorf, GNH Peace Council
The annual public reading of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.’s revolutionary Beyond Vietnam speech will take place Thursday, Jan. 15, at noon in New Haven City Hall, 165 Church St. It is being organized by the Greater New Haven Peace Council, City of New Haven Peace Commission, and Veterans for Peace.
This speech shook the establishment into denouncing King because, among other things, he connected the movements for peace, civil rights and economic justice.
If you are interested in receiving a pdf of the speech and/or reading a page of the speech on Jan. 15, please email grnhpeacecouncil@gmail.com.