Henry Genga

It’s hard to believe, but we’re just a couple of weeks away from the start of another school year.

Just a quick reminder that Connecticut’s Sales Tax-Free Week begins this Sunday, August 17, and runs through Sunday, August 23. It’s a great opportunity to tackle your back-to-school shopping without paying sales tax!

Wishing you and your family a smooth and successful start to the new school year!

Keep scrolling to read more about Sales Tax-Free Week below.

The East Hartford Commission on Culture and Fine Arts is now accepting applications for community grants. 

For the program/project grants, the proposed activity must be fully planned and directly relate to fine arts and/or culture. Eligible creative endeavors include, but are not limited to, concerts, performances, program series, festivals, workshops, exhibits, readings, after-school programs, and public art.

Applications are open now for funding to be distributed between July 1, 2025 and June 30, 2026. Grant applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, depending on the availability of funds, at the Commission's meetings in September, December, and March. To be considered at the September meeting, applications must be submitted by Friday, August 22. For December and March, applications must be submitted by the 15th of the prior month.

Click here for complete eligibility requirements and to access the application.

Connecticut's annual Sales Tax-Free Week begins on Sunday, August 17, and runs through Saturday, August 23. This is Connecticut's 26th Sales Tax-Free Week and it provides a chance to save money, whether it is taking the kids back-to-school shopping or treating yourself or your loved ones.

Highlights of Sales Tax-Free Week:

• Sales or purchases of certain items of clothing or footwear costing less than $100 per item are exempt from Connecticut's 6.35% sales tax
• Sales Tax-Free Week applies to purchases made in-store, online, mail-order, and over the phone
• This special exemption applies to purchases made from retailers located in Connecticut as well as from online retailers

Shop smart – and locally whenever possible to support small businesses – to save during Connecticut’s Sales Tax-Free Week!

The Connecticut Office of Higher Education (OHE) announced that the Student Loan Reimbursement Program (SLRP) will reopen for applications on Friday, August 15.

The SLRP provides up to $5,000 annually, with a four-year cap at $20,000, to eligible applicants who meet service and income requirements.

Recent changes have expanded eligibility for Connecticut’s student loan relief program, helping it reach more residents burdened by student debt.

The updated criteria now recognize a wider range of educational and volunteer experiences, allowing more individuals to qualify for assistance. Notably, former Stone Academy students may now be eligible for relief following the school's closure. Those who did not receive a tuition refund are now eligible for reimbursement.

According to OHE, these changes are designed to provide a pathway to recover from both educational and financial setbacks, ensuring the program serves those most in need.

The following includes the program’s key eligibility requirements:

• Must be a Connecticut resident for at least five consecutive years
• Must have an outstanding student loan balance and made a qualifying payment in 2024
• Must have graduated from a Connecticut college/university, or attended a program to earn a professional license/certificate
• Income limits: $125,000 for individuals and $175,000 for married applicants
• Must have 50 hours of verified volunteer service since Jan. 1, 2024, at a qualifying nonprofit, municipal agency, or through military service
• A hardship waiver may be requested in certain cases of degree non-completion

Applicants must create an account, complete the application, and upload all required documents to be considered for approval. Click here to create an account and apply.

The Connecticut Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection (DESPP) is urging state residents to sign up for the CT Alert emergency notification system as extreme weather incidents continue to increase.

According to DESPP, more than 5,000 residents signed up for CT Alert just over the last month — more than during any one of the last three years bringing the total to nearly 226,000 people who have signed up for the emergency notifications.

DESPP offered a number of tips on how to prepare for potential severe weather:

• Download the CTPrepares app for your mobile phone so you know how to prepare for any emergency.
• Create an emergency kit to keep in your home so you are ready for any emergency.
• Put together a “go bag” with copies of important documents, prescriptions, battery-operated radio, and other items such as a cell phone charger.
• Make sure you have an evacuation plan, particularly if you live in a hurricane evacuation zone.

Signing up for CT alert system can be done online or by texting CTALERT to 888-777.

Gun Industry Accountability:

• Enables civil lawsuits against gun manufacturers, distributors, and retailers who fail to exercise reasonable control over the marketing, sale, and distribution of their firearms
• his makes Connecticut one of the few states allowing civil action against members of the firearm industry under state law

Closing Permit Loopholes:

• Out-of-state convictions: Individuals convicted of crimes in other states that would be disqualifying in Connecticut are now also ineligible for firearm permits in the state
• Applies to convictions within the past 8 years

Age Restrictions Expanded:

• The prohibition on selling certain semi-automatic rifles to individuals under 21 now extends to private sales, not just sales by licensed dealers

Body Armor Restrictions:

• Purchasers must have a pistol permit or eligibility certificate to buy body armor
• Certain exemptions apply for law enforcement and specified personnel

Clarification of Self-Defense:

• The law clarifies that the unlawful discharge of a firearm statute (a Class C misdemeanor) does not apply to someone who lawfully discharged a firearm in self-defense or defense of another

Connecticut is recognized as having some of the strongest gun laws in the U.S., and this bill is seen as a significant step toward enhanced public safety and industry accountability.