Eleni Kavros DeGraw

Starting this week, more than 1,700 eligible CT-based hospitality businesses will receive checks in the mail through the Connecticut Department of Economic and Community Development's CT Hospitality Industry Support Program.

I'm pleased to announce that the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved the State of Connecticut’s request to extend Medicaid (known in Connecticut as HUSKY) and Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for 12 months after pregnancy.

There's still time to apply for Connecticut's Child Tax Payments! Income eligible parents who had a child born before January 1, 2022 can receive a maximum payment of $250 per child up to 3 children. The tax payment is available to single parents who earned $100,000 or less and married households that made less than $200,000 during the 2021 tax year.

The summer's first heat wave is here. The next several days are set to see temperatures in Connecticut reach more than 90 degrees with a heat index of triple digits at times, which has prompted activation of the state’s extreme hot weather protocol which will be in effect through 8 p.m. on Sunday, July 24.

Due to low rates of rainfall and unusually high temperatures this season, Connecticut's Interagency Drought Working Group has declared all eight Connecticut counties are experiencing Stage 2 Drought conditions.

If you or someone you know is a recent high school graduate headed to college or university, I have some important information to share with you! The deadline to apply for financial aid through Connecticut's free community college program is fast approaching. Students looking to take advantage of the Pledge to Advance Connecticut (PACT) program are encouraged to apply by Friday, July 15.

Tomorrow, July 7, the Department of Revenue Services will host a webinar to discuss the 2022 Connecticut Child Tax Payment. If you would like to learn more about the payments, we passed in this year's budget adjustment, I encourage you to participate.

The Connecticut Summer at the Museum program is returning for the 2022 summer season starting Friday, July 1.