Legislative Update August 8th

August 8, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,

August is Black Business Month. Let's do all we can to help support these businesses, which contribute so much to the economy. I have included a listing below of businesses you can support in Norwalk. This week's newsletter also includes information about a new state grant program that helps improve home health care safety protocols and support services for their workers. There's something for everyone in this week's newsletter. Check it out!

Have a great weekend,

Travis

SUPPORT BLACK-OWNED BUSINESSES
August is Black Business Month. It's the perfect time to recognize and support Black-owned businesses. Please consider shopping at these businesses, whether retail, restaurants, or services. Share your experiences on social media, use hashtags like #BlackBusinessMonth, and leave positive reviews to boost visibility. Please click on the image below for a list of black-owned businesses in Norwalk.
 
NEW GRANT PROGRAM: HOME HEALTH CARE WORKER SAFETY
A new state grant program set to launch soon will provide grants to home health and access agencies to fund improved safety protocols and support services for their workers. You can click on the image below to learn more about this program administered by the Department of Social Services (DSS).
(Special Touch Home Care)
 
POWER UP NEW ENGLAND GRANT
The U.S. Department of Energy has selected the Power Up New England proposal submitted by Connecticut and its neighboring New England states to receive an award of up to $389 million through the second round of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law’s competitive Grid Innovation Program (GIP).
 
You can read the full announcement HERE
 
LEAD FREE CT CAMPAIGN LAUNCHED
Lead Free CT is a new campaign overseen by the Connecticut Department of Public Health. The goal here is to protect children from the harmful health impacts of lead and create a lead-free Connecticut.
 
Objectives include:
  • ️Making older homes where children or pregnant people live lead safe
  • ️Collecting information on all known lead service water lines in Connecticut
  • ️Replacing lead pipes that bring water to homes, childcare centers, and schools
  • ️Supporting families who find lead in their home or water
  • ️Offering funding to get Connecticut communities lead-free
  • ️Having all Connecticut children tested for lead
  • ️Raising awareness of lead testing and safety among parents
  • ️Educating communities, contractors, and landlords on lead laws and safety

You can learn more HERE.

 
FREE COMMUNITY COLLEGE EXPANDED
I am pleased to announce an expansion of tuition-free classes here in Connecticut! Any high school graduate and legal resident of Connecticut, even those with past college experience, can benefit. Please click on the image below to learn more.
 
NEW: CT CONSUMER PROTECTION AGENCY NEWSLETTER 
Hot off the press is the first Connecticut Consumer Protection Monthly Newsletter! Here you will find topics covered, including scams, fraud awareness, and more. Feel free to email questions and suggest topics at DCP.Communications@ct.gov.
 
 
IT'S NATIONAL EXERCISE WITH YOUR CHILD WEEK
As a two-time former World Boxing Association super welterweight champion, I know the importance of being in shape. Physical activity is key to lifelong health and well-being. Children as young as preschool age benefit from exercise and fitness as much as adults. Being active helps children and teens:
  • Feel stronger and have more energy to do all the things they like to do
  • Focus better at school and perform better in sports
  • Feel, think, and sleep better
  • Reach and stay at a healthy weight
  • Build lean muscle
  • ️Lower their risk for serious health problems

Keep bones, muscles, and joints strong

 
SALES TAX-FREE WEEK BEGINS AUGUST 18TH
Connecticut's annual Sales Tax-Free Week begins on Sunday, August 18, and runs through Saturday, August 24. It provides a chance to save money, whether taking the kids back-to-school shopping or treating yourself or your loved ones.
 
Retailers throughout the state offer additional discounts on clothing and footwear during Sales Tax-Free Week, providing consumers with even more ways to stretch their spending power.

During this tax holiday, most clothing and footwear items priced less than $100 are exempt from Connecticut's 6.35% sales tax. The exemption applies to each eligible item costing less than $100, regardless of how many of those items are sold to a customer in the same transaction. It applies to purchases made in-store, online, mail-order, and over the phone.

To take advantage of the program, please download and log into the Wheels 2U application. You’ll be prompted to create an account using your current (or new) credentials, add your payment info again, and then book your next ride. You can schedule and request rides within Norwalk 7 days a week - Monday - Wednesday7 am - 7 pmThursday- Friday7 am-11 pm; Saturdays: 1 pm-12 am; Sundays: 1-9 pm

Routes include anywhere within Norwalk and also connect with the following services: 

NTD fixed route buses, Metro-North Train Stations, and CTtransit Route 341.

 
Click the button below for a list of exempt and taxable items
Shop smart – and locally whenever possible to support small businesses – to save during Connecticut’s Sales Tax-Free Week! 

As always, feel free to call me at 1-800-842-8267 or email me at Travis.Simms@cga.ct.gov if you have any questions or concerns. Also, please like my official Facebook Page for regular updates.

Sincerely,

Travis Simms
State Representative

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