Dominique Johnson

During session, we successfully passed legislation that protects and supports individuals in the state who are in the twilight years of their life. Unfortunately, as the elderly population steadily rises, scam attempts against that community also increases. To help shield our older residents from being victimized, we passed  PA 23-161, AN ACT CONCERNING FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OF SENIOR CITIZENS.

Starting July 1, 2024, banks and credit unions will have the power to temporarily suspend or hold transactions involving an account of an adult over the age of 60 if there is a reasonable suspicion of financial exploitation for up to 45 days.

Below are some of the highlights of Aging bills we passed this year:

• Established a new coordinator of state services for people with dementia
• Strengthened patient's involvement in their homemaker care plans and streamlined the process for filing complaints
• Expanded eligibility for seniors to participate in adult day services (serving those with early onset dementia)
• Increased funding for elderly nutrition and Meals on Wheels
• Required homemaker companion companies to provide notice to their clients before they abruptly close and prohibited any increases in rates without at least 60-day notice

The elderly deserve to live comfortable and unburdened. The legislation that we passed will help make this possible.

It’s that time again where we start winding down the summer and begin back-to-school preparations; I want to share news and events that will ease that transition for the upcoming school year.
 

Sales Tax Free Week

Connecticut's 2023 Sales Tax Free Week begins on Sunday, August 20 and runs through Saturday, August 26. This is a great opportunity to take the kids back-to-school shopping or to treat yourself or your loved ones while saving money.

Many retailers in Connecticut offer additional discounts on clothing and footwear during Sales Tax Free Week, providing consumers with even more savings.

During this sales tax holiday, most clothing and footwear items priced under $100 are exempt from the Connecticut sales 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 in the same transaction. The tax holiday applies to purchases made in-store, online, mail-order, and over the phone.

More information about Connecticut’s Sales Tax Holiday, including a list of exempt and taxable items, is available on the Department of Revenue Services website.
 

Expansion of Free School Meals Program

Hunger and the stigma of not being able to afford school meals is one of the biggest hurdles to learning. That is why I am pleased to report that Governor Ned Lamont and Education Commissioner Charlene M. Russell-Tucker announced plans to expand Connecticut’s free school meals program for the 2023-2024 school year, enabling more students to receive access to nutritious breakfast and lunch at no additional cost to them or their families.

Investments in Education

We made historic investments in education with millions of additional dollars allocated in the budget and a number of legislative measures that enhance Connecticut’s educational system.  It brings the total Education Cost Sharing (ECS) funding to $45,682,808 in the current fiscal year, and $52,379,292 in the next fiscal year. There is also funding for adult education at $273,455 this year, and $274,971 next year.

Click here for more information.

I will continue to support education as one of the most cost-effective investments we can make for the future of our state. 

• Benefits will be deposited onto existing SNAP EBT cards on August 13, 2023, to over 42,635 households (57,313 eligible children) who were under age 6 and receiving SNAP benefits from DSS between September 1, 2022, and May 11, 2023.
• The one-time additional benefit is $172.72 per child who received SNAP benefits for the entire covered period.
• Children who did not receive SNAP benefits for the entire covered period will receive a lower, pro-rated amount of P-EBT benefits.
• Families do not need to apply for P-EBT benefits, all eligible families will automatically receive additional benefits. 

Benefits can be used at any location that accepts SNAP/EBT cards, including farmers' markets and direct market farms. P-EBT participants also have access to eligible food purchases online through delivery or curbside pickup at participating retailers. Additional information is available here.
 
DSS received information from CSDE to implement the P-EBT Child Care plan, which was approved by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service. The P-EBT Child Care SNAP funding was authorized by the federal Families First Coronavirus Response Act, with additional amendments made in the Continuing Appropriations Act and Other Extensions Act of 2021, as well as the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021.
 
Additional Resources:

• The Special Supplemental Nutrition program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) can help you stretch your food budget further. Click here to learn more and apply.

All children up to 5 years old receiving SNAP benefits are also eligible for FREE Head Start/Early Head Start programming that develops early learning skills, healthy lifestyles, language skills, and literacy skills. Click here to learn more and apply.

Do you want to make a difference in a child’s life and have fun at the same time?  Become a Reading Buddy in the Norwalk schools. 
 
For one hour a week, Buddies read with 3^rd grade students in very small groups, helping students understand what they read.
 
After last year’s pilot program, one Buddy said, “I’d do it again in a heartbeat!”  The Norwalk Education Foundation would love to have you join the 59 people who have already signed up.
 
Training sessions will be held in September.
 
Scan the QR code on the attached flyer to sign up.