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| 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 the transition for the upcoming school year and tell you about mental health support coming to our students. You can click on any of these links to jump to that section of the email:
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| What's Your Rep Been Up To? |
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| I had a great time meeting constituents last week at Lions Den Coffee Shop. I shared some of my plans for the 2024 legislative season while residents talked about the issues that matter most to them. It is a privilege to host these events to promote community participation in our democratic process.
Thank you to Lions Den Coffee Shop for hosting us. I look forward to our next coffee talk! |
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| In the summer months, residents in Simsbury see bears regularly. It’s important that we understand what our resident bears are up to so we can avoid the potential for human-bear conflict. Bearwise published an article digging deeper into what these animals are doing in the month of August. |
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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.
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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.
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| Expansion of Free School Meal Program |
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| Hunger and the stigma of not being able to afford school meals is one of the biggest hurdles to learning. 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. |
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| Under the plan, the state will invest $16 million in federal funding into the program. Funds will be utilized to support the provision of meals at no cost. Click on the button below to learn more. |
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| 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. Click below for more information. |
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| Mental Health Support For Students |
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The number one concern I heard at my constituent coffee hours last Saturday was about youth mental health. The state is answering the call to help children following the unprecedented learning challenges from the pandemic. Simsbury Public Schools will receive $324,000 to hire and retain school mental health specialists over the next three school years. These funds will support our students so they can excel in and outside of the classroom.
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Here is the breakdown:
| Lead applicant |
2024 Funding |
2025 Funding |
2026 Funding |
Total grant award |
| Simsbury School District |
$120,000 |
$120,000 |
$84,000 |
$324,000 |
CLICK HERE to learn more about school mental health specialist grants.
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| Delivering For Higher Education |
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| We have made significant strides in supporting higher education and ensuring a brighter future with opportunities, support, and financial relief for our students.
During the 2023 legislative session, we allocated over $135 million more for higher education in our biennial state budget than initially proposed. We did this in order to support initiatives that reflect our commitment to addressing the challenges faced by students and graduates.
Some of this year's priorities include Public Act 23-204, which expanded our debt-free community college program to incorporate subsidies for returning students and established a student loan forgiveness program that offers up to $20,000 in debt forgiveness for individuals who meet certain criteria and volunteer at a local nonprofit. |
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| We also streamlined the eligibility requirements for the Roberta Willis Scholarship and enabled the program to notify students of their scholarship awards earlier in the year, so they’ll have full knowledge of their financial aid before choosing which school to attend in the fall.
Additionally, we passed several other measures to support higher education, such as:
- Lower state-backed loan refinancing rates for nurses (Public Act 23-60)
- Prohibiting colleges and universities from withholding transcripts due to outstanding debt (Public Act 23-14)
- Providing student loan subsidies for paraeducators, school counselors, police officers, and EMS personnel (Public Act 23-70)
I will continue working with my colleagues to find opportunities that will provide those interested in obtaining a college degree with the necessary tools to help them achieve their goals. |
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| Protections for the Elderly |
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| 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 Public Act 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. |
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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 our protection and support in their twilight years. The legislation that we passed will help make this possible. |
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| It's tick season! As Connecticut scientists warn of new tick species, it is more important than ever to take preventative measures. Here are some tips to share with your friends and family! |
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| I have found some HUGE ticks on my dog Boone this year. He recently got cleaned and is tick free! Make sure to follow the tips below to protect your pets. |
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| Enjoy live music, dancing, and food on Saturday, September 2 from 1 P.M. - 6P.M. at the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center! |
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