End of Summer Updates

simmons
August 19, 2021
As summer begins to wind down, and students prepare for school, I hope you can all take advantage of a few resources and programs available to you.
Sales Tax Free Week
 
Tax Free week here in CT will come to an end this weekend, so make sure you head out for any back-to-school shopping you may need to get done. Many retailers in Connecticut offer additional clothing and footwear discounts during Sales Tax Free Week, resulting in even more savings for shoppers.

During this one-week sales tax holiday, retail purchases of most clothing and footwear items priced under $100 are exempt from the Connecticut sales and use tax. The exemption during Sales Tax Free Week applies to each eligible item costing under $100, regardless of how many of those items are sold to a customer on the same invoice.
 
Specific information on Connecticut’s Sales Tax Free Week, including a listing of individual items that are exempt or taxable, can be found by visiting the Department of Revenue Services website.
Free Museum Admission

You still have time to utilize the Free Summer at the Museum program which kicked off in July.

Through Labor Day Weekend, all children — plus one accompanying adult — will receive free admission to over 90 museums across Connecticut. This program is available to all Connecticut children, ages 18 and under and includes admission at museums, science centers, aquariums, and historical landmarks across the state.

Participating centers include the Connecticut Science Center, Connecticut’s Beardsley Zoo, the Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk, Mystic Aquarium, and Mystic Seaport Museum. Click here to view the full list of participants.
Vaccinations and Mask Mandates
 
The Governor announced Tuesday that masks will be required for students in grades K-12 for at least the first month of school. Unvaccinated individuals are also required to wear masks indoors.
 
So, as we continue to navigate the pandemic, we know one thing for certain, that the vaccine will help us to definitively move past COVID and its impact on our day-to-day lives. COVID vaccines are readily available at hundreds of locations across Connecticut and I encourage everyone who is eligible to receive the vaccine. You can also text your zip code to "GETVAX" to find a vaccination location. Booster shots are now available for the immunocompromised and those who meet certain criteria.
Emergency Broadband Benefit
 
Broadband internet service is an indispensable resource during the pandemic for employees and students. If your family, or a family you know, might require support in paying for broadband internet service, the Emergency Broadband Benefit could offer some help.
 
This Federal Communications Commission program provides federal assistance to households struggling to afford internet service or electronic devices. It offers up to $50/month discounts for broadband services, up to $75/month discounts for households on qualifying Tribal lands and potential one-time discounts of up to $100 for laptops, tablets or desktop computers purchased through participating providers.
 
Eligible households include those with incomes at/below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines ($35,370 for a family of four); those receiving benefits under free or reduced-price school lunch or breakfast programs; those receiving Federal Pell Grants; those experiencing substantial loss of income due to job loss or furlough since February 29, 2020; or those who meet eligibility criteria for providers’ existing low-income or COVID-19 programs. In order to apply, families can call 833-511-0311 or click here.
Vision Zero
 
In the state of Connecticut, there were 308 traffic fatalities last year, which is up from 249 the year before. This year, we worked hard in session to make a series of reforms to keep pedestrians throughout our state safe.
 
One major piece of legislation we worked tirelessly on was the pedestrian safety bill – House Bill 5429 – which makes a number of long-overdue reforms. It increases the fines for distracted driving and creates new protections for cyclists. Perhaps most importantly, it gives local officials increased authority to lower speed limits.

This legislation will help keep our roads safer through the summer and just in time for kids to get on the bus safely before heading to school.