Rebecca Martinez

The 2026 Connecticut Sales Tax Free Week is Sunday, August 16th, through Saturday, August 22nd. This week provides a chance for families to save money, whether it is taking children back-to-school shopping or treating yourself or your loved ones.

During this week, sales or purchases of certain items of clothing or footwear costing less than $300 per item are exempt from sales tax. This exemption applies to purchases made from retailers located in Connecticut as well as from online retailers. There are, however, certain items that are excluded from the scope of the Sales Tax Free Week exemption. The following items are excluded from the scope of the Sales Tax Free Week exemption:

• Any special clothing or footwear primarily designed for athletic activity or protective use that is not normally worn except when used for the athletic activity or protective use for which it was designed; and
• Jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, and similar items carried on or about the human body but not worn on the body in the manner characteristic of clothing.
• Click here for a list of items that ARE EXEMPT from sales tax and a list of items STILL TAXABLE.

This legislative session, we passed a state budget to expand eligibility during Sales Tax Free Week, making this the first year for Sales Tax Free Week to include items, such as clothing, shoes, and backpacks, under $300 from $100 in previous years.

Click here for more information on Connecticut's Sales Tax Free Week and frequently asked questions.

August is Black Business Month, a time to celebrate the entrepreneurs whose innovation, hard work, and dedication strengthen our economy and enrich our community.

Supporting Black-owned businesses is a meaningful way to invest in our neighborhoods. Whether you're dining at a local restaurant, shopping at a neighborhood store, or using a local service, every purchase helps create jobs, support families, and keep dollars in our local economy.

Our state is home to a diverse and growing network of Black-owned businesses, from restaurants and retail shops to professional services, wellness providers, and more.

Click here to explore a directory of Black-owned businesses and discover a new local favorite.

Connecticut residents will soon have greater access to technology thanks to the launch of Laptop ConneCT. This program, in partnership with the Connecticut State Library, will put laptops and related accessories in the hands of the state residents who need them most.

Over 100 principal public libraries have already signed up to participate in this long-term lending system.

The Laptop ConneCT program, which will distribute Dell Pro 16 computers running Windows, aims to expand digital opportunity and connect more people to education, employment, healthcare, and essential resources.

Residents are eligible to receive a laptop if they are at least 18 years old, have a valid library card with a participating library, and participate in one of the following assistance programs:

• Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)
• Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP)
• Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
• Medicare
• HUSKY Health (Medicaid/The Children’s Health Insurance Program)

Questions about the program can be directed to DEEP.Broadband@ct.gov.

Please see below for the "Roadwork Corner" section of the eblasts, which will include information on current and upcoming roadwork to stay aware of. Please make sure to check in weekly for the latest updates!

There will be lane shifts on Route 72 in Plainville/New Britain. The project 0171-0501 consists of rehabilitation measures for four (4) bridges that includes, but are not limited to deck rehabilitation, superstructure rehabilitation or replacement and substructure rehabilitation.

Other major project elements include paving, roadway drainage, guiderail replacement, highway design and construction, traffic engineering and work zone traffic control, illumination and Incident Management Systems (IMS) replacement or preservation, and utility coordination, as well as related design and construction requirements detailed throughout the Technical and General Provisions including Appendices and referenced authoritative sources. 

Manafort Brothers Incorporated will implement traffic shifts on various Route 72 structures in Plainville/New Britain beginning on or around June 15 and continuing through early December 2026. Traffic will remain open during construction. Motorists should expect shifted travel lanes, reduced shoulder widths, temporary pavement markings, construction signage, and changing traffic patterns throughout the work zone.

Traffic control devices and signing will be installed to help guide drivers safely through the temporary roadway configuration. Motorists are advised to use caution, reduce speeds, and remain alert for construction vehicles, roadway workers, and temporary lane changes in the area.
 

Please note that the schedule may be modified or extended due to weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances. Additional traffic shifts will occur as needed in the project area into December 2026.

The Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) is announcing that a Joint and Crack Sealing project will be performed on various state routes within the Greater Hartford region (CTDOT District 1). This project is scheduled to occur on Monday, June 1, 2026, and be completed on Friday, November 6, 2026. Project DOT01703229CN consists of pavement joint and crack sealing.

LANE CLOSURE/DETOUR INFO

There will be various lane closures on various state routes (see list below) from Monday, June 1, 2026, to Friday November 6, 2026, from 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Traffic control personnel and signing patterns will guide motorists through the work zone.

Motorists should be aware that modifications or extensions to this schedule may become necessary due to weather delays or other unforeseen conditions. Motorists are advised to maintain a safe speed when driving in this area. The following routes are included in this project:

Andover:

Route 316 between Route 6 and Hebron town line

Berlin:

Route 71 between Route 372 (Farmington Avenue) and SR 571

Bristol:

Route 72 East of Blakeslee Street to Main Street No. 1

East Windsor:

SR 510 between Route 5 by Wagner Lane and Route 5 by King Street

Route 140 between Route191 to Route 286

Manchester:

Route 83 between US 6 & 44 (Center Street) to Route 30

Mansfield:

Route 32 between Route 275 and Route 44

Route 44 between the Coventry town line and Route 195

Route 320 between Route 195 and Route 320

Plainville:

SR 536 between Route 372 (East Main Street) to White Oak Avenue

Wolcott:

Route 322 between Woodtick Road and SR 844

You can use the following links for access to town meeting schedules for the three towns in our district:

Plainville Town Meeting Schedule

Farmington Town Meeting Schedule

Southington Town Meeting Schedule