I'm Upset About Skyrocketing Electric Bills, Too, Sales Tax-Free Week Begins Sunday

August 14, 2024


 
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Dear Neighbor,

As I continue to hear from many of you about your skyrocketing electric bills, I want you to know I am as upset as you are. 
 
The first thing I will do is submit a formal complaint to the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to reconsider the annual review of the rate adjustment mechanism because of the condition changes we have seen this summer (I.e., the hottest summer on record leading to increased usage). Additionally, I will ask that a public information session is conducted as soon as possible so that the public has the opportunity to tell the legislature what hardships these rates have caused and so that we can come up with a plan for what we can do moving forward to both mitigate the current situation and prevent this from happening in the future. We cannot have rate increase after rate increase without any thought given to impact. 
 
I know this is hurting many people in our community and will do whatever I can to help. Even if you don’t qualify for hardship assistance, you can call Eversource and ask for a flexible payment plan. You can also make sure that you are currently on the standard rate of service at

EnergizeCT.com as it is currently the lowest supply rate. 
 
Next week is Back-to-School Tax-Free Week in Connecticut. Starting Sunday, you’ll find many items your growing children need before school starts in a few weeks to qualify for the tax-free spend. I always appreciated this week but have put in a bill to expand the items previously and hope to do so again. 
 
Be sure to check out the upcoming events this coming weekend below and have a great week,

Eleni
 
REMINDER: SALES TAX-FREE WEEK BEGINS ON SUNDAY
Connecticut's annual Sales Tax-Free Week begins Sunday, and runs through Saturday, August 24. This is a wonderful opportunity to save money, whether you're taking the kids back to school shopping or treating yourself or your loved ones. Retailers throughout the state offer additional discounts on clothing and footwear during this time, providing consumers with even more ways to stretch their spending power.
During the tax holiday, most clothing and footwear items priced less than $100 are exempt from Connecticut's 6.35% sales tax. The exemption applies to each eligible item costing less than $100, regardless of how many of those items are sold to a customer in the same transaction. It applies to in-store purchases, online, mail-order, and over the phone. For a list of exempt and taxable items during Sales Tax-Free Week, please click HERE. Remember to shop smart - and locally - whenever possible to support small businesses.
 
WBDC ACCEPTING GRANT APPLICATIONS
The Women's Business Development Council's Ignite Grant, for established woman-owned companies, is accepting applications through September 24th. The Child Care Business Opportunity Grant application period closes on September 9th. Other childcare business opportunity fund grants are accepted on a rolling basis. You can apply for the Ignite Grant HERE. You can apply for the Child Care Business Opportunity Fund Grant HERE.
 
TROOP 274 CAN & BOTTLE DRIVE ON AUGUST 24TH
Please consider participating in the Avon Boy Scout Troop 274 Can and Bottle Drive at West Avon Congregational Church on Saturday, August 24th from 8 a.m. to noon. Check out the flyer below for more details.
 
CONGRATULATIONS, UTTEJ KOLLU!
It’s always wonderful to see one of our Eagle Scouts once again being recognized for their good works and in this case, their kindness. Congrats to Uttej Kollu for his recent scholarship from Liberty Bank. Please click on the image below to read more.
 
2024 HENRY TOLL FELLOWSHIP CLASS ANNOUNCED
I am honored and humbled to announce that the Council of State Governments has announced that I have been selected to participate in the 2024 CSG Henry Toll Fellowship. I am truly excited to learn from my classmates and engage in this significant opportunity to grow as a legislative leader.
In bringing together 49 individuals representing 34 states, U.S. territories, and all three branches of state government, the Henry Toll Fellowship is the nation’s premier leadership development program for state government officials.
 
CANTON LOBSTER FEST & FVTC RIDE IS SATURDAY
The Farmington Valley Trails Council is excited to partner once again with the Canton Fire Company No. 1, Canton Street Station as they celebrate their 41st Lobster Fest on Saturday, beginning at 10 a.m. at 14 Canton Springs Road. This is a fundraising event that will benefit both the FVTC and Fire Department, which are both non-profit organizations.
The ride will start/end at the Canton Volunteer Fire Department on Canton Springs Road and will follow the “Loop”, riding the Farmington River Trail and the Farmington Canal  Heritage Trail through the towns of Simsbury, Avon, Farmington, and Burlington and then back to Canton. A portion of this ride is on the road. All participants should be experienced riders who can maintain a riding pace of at least 12–14 miles per hour. The ride will start by 10:00 am. Arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the ride to check-in.  
 
Helmets are required for all riders. Highly visible clothing and lights are recommended. The cost for participation is $50.00. This fee will cover the pre-registered participant’s ride and 1 dinner (1 lobster, 1 ear of corn, 1 New England clam chowder, and 1 beverage of your choice.) Pre-registration is required and the ride will be capped at 100 riders. Registration will close at 7:00 pm on Friday, August 18th. For more details, and to register, please click HERE.
 
SMART WEEK BEGINS AUGUST 26TH 
The first annual SMART Week, a campaign to spread the word about the importance of secure gun storage to prevent gun violence, is August 26-30. To read more about the campaign goals, please click the image below. 

Sincerely,


Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative
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