Eleni Kavros DeGraw

All good legislation has to start somewhere, and this plan is a promising step toward addressing gun violence in our communities. The proposal has yet to be finalized and must be passed by Congress before going to the president's desk for signing. You can read more about this here.

• 0% Interest rate with no monthly payment required.  
• Ten percent (10%) of the principal balance will be forgiven annually, on the anniversary date of the loan closing, until the loan is fully forgiven on the tenth anniversary.   
• Financing to cover up to 20% down payment and up to 5% closing costs.
• Loan amounts up to $50,000 for homes located in High or Very High Opportunity Areas (per State of CT Opportunity Map)
• Loan amounts up to $25,000 for homes located in areas other than High or Very High Opportunity Areas.

You can learn more here.

Since applications were first opened to the public on June 1, more than 90,000 households have filed to receive the $250 per child tax credit. These credits, which were included in the $650 million tax relief package approved by House Democrats as part of the 2022 state budget, are set to give much-needed financial relief and flexibility to working families across Connecticut. 

If you have a child born before Jan. 1, 2022 and haven't yet applied, I want to remind you that there is still time to apply to receive your check!

This tax credit is available to single parents who earned less than $100,000 and two-parent households that made less than $200,000 during the 2021 tax year.

For more information on the tax credit and to submit an application with the Department of Revenue Services before the July 31 deadline, click here.

If you love the farmers market, consider becoming a volunteer and helping to run the market. To sign up, click here.

• Always maintain a proper lookout and be aware of other boaters and the environment.
• There must be one U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person on board the vessel or being towed. 
• Carry all required safety gear, like a Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher, sound-producing devices, etc.
• Make sure you check the weather before you leave shore.
• Don't skip a boating safety course or a vessel safety check - did you know some Connecticut boat launches have Boating Education Assistants who will conduct a free vessel safety check?
• It is illegal to operate a boat while under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

You can find additional information about Connecticut's boating regulations, safety, how to reduce the spread of aquatic invasive plants and animals, and more in the 2022 Connecticut Boater's Guide. This guide covers everything you might need to get out on the water and get back to shore safely.