Jennifer Leeper

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.

A new one-time grocery benefit of $300 each is being distributed to low-income Connecticut residents who have been pushed out of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to federal changes.

The grocery benefits, through a partnership the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) arranged with Connecticut’s network of community action agencies and with support provided by the Connecticut Association for Community Action (CAFCA), will be distributed as prepaid virtual grocery cards—not loaded onto existing EBT cards.

A reminder that Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, renowned neuroscientist and author of “The Digital Delusion,” will be joining Rep. Aimee Berger Girvalo, Sen. James Maroney, and me on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 7pm for a conversation on the impact of classroom technology on our kids’ learning. Jared is to ed tech what Jonathan Haidt is to cellphones, and this is a very exciting opportunity to learn from the nation's leading voice on this issue. I really hope you will join us for this informative conversation.

I am thrilled to share that Dr. Jared Cooney Horvath, renowned neuroscientist and author of “The Digital Delusion,” will be joining Rep. Aimee Berger Girvalo, Sen. James Maroney, and me on Wednesday, Aug. 12 at 7pm for a conversation on the impact of classroom technology on our kids’ learning. Jared is to ed tech what Jonathan Haidt is to cellphones, and this is a very exciting opportunity to learn from the nation's leading voice on this issue. I really hope you will join us for this informative conversation.

As our youth enjoy these summer months away from school, don't forget that nutritious meals are available at no cost to all children in the state!

As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program, any child 18 and under may receive meals at participating locations - no application, proof of income, or identification required.

You can use the U.S. DAG's Summer Meals Site Finder or call 2-1-1 to find participating meal sites throughout the state. Please confirm the location and meal service times before visiting to make sure you don't miss out.

As we celebrate the Fourth of July and commemorate America's 250th Anniversary, we honor the courage, vision, and sacrifices of those who established our nation.

This historic milestone invites us to reflect on our shared heritage, celebrate the freedoms we enjoy, and reaffirm our commitment to the ideals of liberty, equality, and opportunity that continue to guide our country. On this Independence Day, let us come together in gratitude, patriotism, and a renewed commitment to the ideals that define our nation.

This week I was joined by State Representatives Sarah Keitt and Cristin McCarthy Vahey, Governor Ned Lamont, Fairfield Firstselectperson Christine Vitale, Superintendent Mike Testani, and local town and school leaders to announce our successful efforts to get an enhanced reimbursement rate for the Dwight Elementary School rebuild project.

This funding, estimated to be $57 million, will allow for this long overdue project to become a reality while expanding our Early Childhood Center and programming for students with disabilities.

This state aid also provides significant property tax relief as we improve our education infrastructure. This wouldn’t have been possible without the many years of advocacy from the Dwight community and all the hard work and dedication of everyone involved, and this rebuild will have a generational impact for our students.