Jennifer Leeper

Monday is Labor Day - a time to reflect and honor the workers that keep our economy working and make our country strong.

Connecticut is powered by the incredible efforts of its workers, and I can't thank them enough for all they do to keep our state moving forward!

Like many across the world, I was so sad to learn of Dolly Parton's passing this week.

Dolly was a rare figure who transcended societal divides and inspired all through her music, kindness, and advocacy.

And though she has passed, Dolly's legacy lives on in her many philanthropic efforts, including the Imagination Library, which she was inspired to create because her father could not read or write. Dolly saw how being illiterate held her father back and made it central to her life's work to prevent any other child from experiencing illiteracy.

The Imagination Library is an initiative that gifts free books to children every month from birth to age five and currently serves over three million children. Since its inception, Dolly Parton's Imagination Library has tackled early literacy by gifting over 330 million books! I hope Dolly's passing reminds us all of the power of generosity and the freedom that comes with literacy.

The state of CT, along with the United Way, partnered with Dolly's Imagination Library to bring books to children in Hartford and New Britain!

A new school year is just around the corner! As summer comes to a close, families are getting ready to settle into new routines, gather school supplies, and embrace an exciting year filled with learning, growth, and new opportunities.

Don’t forget that this year’s Connecticut Sales Tax Free Week runs through Saturday, August 22, so there’s still time to save on back-to-school shopping for your children.

During the tax-free week, certain items of clothing and footwear costing less than $300 per item are exempt from sales tax. The exemption applies to purchases made from retailers located in Connecticut as well as qualifying purchases from online retailers.

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.