Hilda E. Santiago

Merchants across Connecticut are getting ready for this year’s Small Business Saturday – a perfect time after Thanksgiving to shop for the holiday season while patronizing smaller stores in our own community and helping the local economy.

On Veterans Day, I hope you will join me in honoring our men and women in uniform.

I am very pleased to report that the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the State of Connecticut was awarded a total of $30,770,000 in Clean Water and Drinking Water grants to finance community-based water infrastructure projects, such as upgrades to municipal sewage plants and public drinking water systems.

Cold weather is headed our way in the coming months and the Connecticut Community Action Agency (CAA) Network is accepting energy assistance applications ahead of the 2018-2019 heating season.

Recent news coverage and discourse may be particularly difficult for sexual assault survivors and their loved ones as the nation grapples with this difficult issue. I want to remind everyone that survivors of sexual assault are not alone and helpful resources are available.

The annual Open Enrollment Period for the state’s Affordable Care Act health insurance exchange is November 1st through December 15th for coverage beginning January 1, 2019.

A new season brings new laws. As we look to the beginning of October, we should take note that over 70 new laws go into effect on October 1.

Meriden-area legislators announced the state approval of funds for various projects in Meriden, when the CT State Bond Commission held a special meeting in Hartford.

The Women and Families Center was awarded $3,500,000 that will assist with the development of 12 units of supportive housing for homeless youth on Colony Street in Meriden, and $3,495,000 was awarded to the City of Meriden for the next phase of the Harbor Brook Flood Control Project.