Newsletter

April 6, 2022
Today really does define the hope that, "April showers bring May flowers!" Spring is on my mind as it is most likely on yours and that's certainly reflected in much of today's update.

The E-bike event at the Capitol was moved to next Wednesday (when the weather should be amazing) when we will be in session once again. Locally, Bike/Walk Avon CT is going to host a bike collection as well as a clean-up for Earth Day.

For our Muslim friends, we have entered the period of Ramadan and I wish them an easy month of fasting.

I hope to see many of you at the Yard Goats Dunkin' Donut Park next week for the first-ever CGA Kickball Classic-a bipartisan event to raise money for Connecticut Foodshare.

Here's hoping our April showers dissipate soon.

Finally, don’t forget that as part of the recently passed tax relief that saw our gas prices drop by 25 cents, we also have tax free week starting on Sunday. I know my son just let me know his toes are starting to feel small, so I hope the timing is just as good at your house.
 
SAVE ON SALES TAX APRIL 10 - April 16
To put money back into Connecticut residents' pockets, we recently passed legislation to suspend our state's gas tax and offer free bus service through June 30. The bill also created an additional Sales Tax Free Week happening this Sunday, April 10 through Saturday, April 16. If your kids are home on spring vacation, this is a great opportunity to save on their spring and summer wardrobe.
 
During this one-week sales tax holiday, retail purchases of most clothing and footwear items under $100 will be exempt from Connecticut's sales tax.
Many retailers in Connecticut offer additional clothing and footwear discounts during Sales Tax Free Week, resulting in even more savings for shoppers.

You can learn more about Connecticut’s Sales Tax Free Week, including a list of tax exempt items,

here.

We hope this law alleviates some of the financial pressure on consumers' wallets, and we hope to deliver more relief this session. The legislature's Appropriations and Finance Committees are expected to announce their state budget proposals this week.

Keep an eye out for updates about what these proposals could mean for consumers like you and the tax relief they may offer.
CONNECTICUT PAID LEAVE INFORMATIVE WEBINAR FOR SMALL BUSINESSES APRIL 12TH
Do you have questions about the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) and/or CT Paid Family Leave? The Human Resource Consulting Group will answer your questions in a free webinar hosted by the CT Small Business Development Center on Tuesday, April 12th at 11:00 a.m. For more details and to register, please click on the image below to register.
(CT Small Business Development Center)
 
GOOD NEWS: LAST QUARTER GDP UP, UNEMPLOYMENT DOWN IN CT
This is great news you love to see - and share:  Connecticut on the upswing!

Last quarter’s GDP is up 7.7%, which puts us in the top 12 in the nation. Unemployment is down to 3.6% and we have 68,000 jobs open right now.

That’s why now is the time to invest in childcare, so that those who have been unable to get back to work have that opportunity, many of them women who left the workforce during the pandemic. It’s also time to invest in job training. And, to continue making Connecticut a place to start or grow a business. Momentum and hard work will lead us into an even stronger economy.

“While Connecticut matched the U.S. gains in manufacturing in the fourth quarter as a contribution to overall economic growth, it lodged its most significant growth in the hospitality sector, including restaurants, which as a group represent the low end of the pay scale. Of about 4,700 food-service jobs posted in the past two weeks in Connecticut, about 1 in 10 offered hourly pay of $20 or more. By comparison, 40 percent of manufacturing openings that posted since mid-March pay that rate or higher.”

To read more, check out the CTInsider article by clicking on the image below.
(ctinsider)
 
RENTERS' REBATE PROGRAM APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN
If you or someone you know is elderly or disabled and currently renting housing, the Connecticut’s Renters’ Rebate Program is now open.

Applications are being accepted through October 1 and eligible renters may be able to get a rebate up to $900 for married couples and $700 for single persons.

The renters' rebate amount is based on a graduated income scale and the amount of rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made in the calendar year prior to the year in which the renter applies. 
Here are some of the guidelines to qualify for the rebate:
  • 65 years old or above
  • 50 years old or above and the surviving spouse of a renter who at the time of the renter's death had qualified and was entitled to tax relief provided such spouse was domiciled with such renter at the time of the renters’ death
  • 18 years old or above and eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits
  • One-year state resident

Please Click here to download the application, which can be made to your town social service agency or the assessor’s office. For additional questions about the program please call their hotline at 860-418-6377 or visit the Connecticut’s Renters’ Rebate Program website for more information.
 
APRIL IS DISTRACTED DRIVING AWARENESS MONTH 
The Connecticut Department of Transportation Highway Safety Office launched U Drive. U Text. U Pay., a national high-visibility enforcement campaign for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April. Click the image below to learn more.
 
CGA KICKBALL CLASSIC MONDAY AT DUNKIN' DONUTS PARK
I wanted to remind you again about what is sure to be a fun event -  the first-ever CGA Kickball Classic, featuring Democrats vs. Republicans in the spirit of bipartisanship.

The  game will be played at Dunkin Donuts Park - the Yard Goats home stadium - on Monday April 11th at 4:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 with the proceeds going to Connecticut Foodshare. If you would like to purchase tickets in advance. You can do so by clicking on the image below. If you can't make it to the game but would like to donate to Connecticut Foodshare, you can do so

 here.
 
E-BIKE DAY AT THE CAPITOL: APRIL 13TH
E-Bike day at the Capitol has been rescheduled to April 13th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. You can test-ride E-Bikes and E-Scooters, meet local bike shops, and talk with advocates at this event sponsored by the Connecticut League of Conservation Voters.

E-Bikes can be very effective at reducing emissions from the transportation sector. E-bikes are easy to ride uphill and can be used to transport kids and groceries, making them a great way to reduce car trips!

This event is in support of Senate Bill 4, of which I am championing because it also introduces vouchers to low- and middle-income residents for purchasing E-Bikes.
 
EARTH DAY TRAILS CLEAN-UP IN AVON: APRIL 23RD
Bike Walk Avon CT and Farmington Valley Trails Council will host an "Earth Day Trails Clean-Up" on Saturday April 23rd starting from the Avon Department of Public Works at 8:30 a.m. Earth Day 2022 is Friday, April 22nd.
 
BIKE COLLECTION FOR KIDS EVENT IN AVON: APRIL 30TH
Have a bike to donate?

The Town of Avon will hold a Bike Collection event for kids in the Department of Public Works parking lot at 11 Arch Road, on Saturday, April 30th, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please see the flyer below for details regarding the collection.
 
CELEBRATING RAMADAN
For everyone celebrating this month, we wish you a safe and blessed Ramadan!