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The 2026 Connecticut Sales Tax Free Week will take place next week -- from Aug. 16 to 22. The week provides a chance for families to save money, whether it is taking children back-to-school shopping or treating yourself or your loved ones.
During this week, sales or purchases of certain clothing or footwear items costing less than $300 per item are exempt from sales tax. This exemption applies to purchases made from retailers located in Connecticut as well as from online retailers. There are, however, certain items that are excluded from the scope of the Sales Tax Free Week exemption. The following items are excluded from the scope of the Sales Tax Free Week exemption:
- Any special clothing or footwear primarily designed for athletic activity or protective use that is not normally worn except when used for the athletic activity or protective use for which it was designed; and
- Jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, and similar items carried on or about the human body but not worn on the body in the manner characteristic of clothing.
- Click here for a list of items that ARE EXEMPT from sales tax and a list of items STILL TAXABLE.
This legislative session, we passed a state budget to expand eligibility during Sales Tax Free Week, making this the first year Sales Tax Free Week includes items such as clothing, shoes, and backpacks priced under $300, up from $100 in previous years.
Click here for more information on Connecticut's Sales Tax Free Week and frequently asked questions.
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To help make the back-to-school process easy and more affordable for Connecticut families, as part of the budget passed during this year's legislative session, we voted to eliminate sales tax on school supplies items. Effective as of July 1, the state’s 6.35% sales tax no longer applies to non-electronic school supplies, including binders, composition books, crayons, erasers, folders, glue, highlighters, lunch boxes, markers, notebooks, paper, pencils, pens, rulers, scissors, and more.
This change does not impact supplies purchased by or for businesses, meaning companies that purchase these items must pay in one of two ways - at the time of purchase or as part of a future tax return.
Click here to find more information about these changes. |
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Join me at Chesley Park on Saturday, Aug. 15, from 4 to 7 p.m. for fun, music, games, community resources, and free school supplies to help students start the school year.
Thank you to the YWCA for organizing this community event and to all of the organizations, volunteers, and donors who make it possible. Together, we're helping New Britain students head back to school prepared and ready to succeed!
I hope to see you there!
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The American Red Cross has declared a national blood crisis. Blood donations have fallen to a four-year summer low. All blood types are needed, but the situation is especially dire for type O blood.
The Town of Newington is sponsoring a community blood drive on Tuesday, August 18, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Newington Town Hall in the Newington Mortenson Community Center Gym, 200 Garfield St.
This blood drive is open to the public. To schedule an appointment, call 800-733-2767, scan the QR code on the flyer below or visit the Red Cross online at www.redcrossblood.org and enter sponsor keyword: Newington
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| Congratulations, John Hofmann! |
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| Congratulations John Hofmann on his appointment as Newington’s new fire marshal! He previously served as the town’s assistant fire marshal since 2021 and, in the words of the town, "is well-positioned to ensure that Newington continues to be one of the safest communities in Connecticut." |
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Mid-August means that the annual Dream Ride Experience will be rolling into Farmington. This year's event takes place Aug. 21-23 at the Farmington Polo Grounds. Tickets for various events can be purchased here.
The event does impact local traffic, notably on Route 4 (Farmington Avenue). Please take notice of town messaging on the days of the event for those traveling in the area.
NOTE FROM THE EVENT'S WEBSITE:
There is no public on-site parking except for those participating in the Dream Ride (motorcycles), Dream Cruise, or Dream Show. Unless you have been issued an on-site parking pass, please utilize our off-site shuttle lots.
Shuttles run continuously from the parking lots during event hours. Please note that shuttles will stop running during the Dream Ride on Saturday morning and during the Dream Cruise on Saturday afternoon.
- Handicap parking is available on-site for those with a valid handicap placard.
- VIP parking is available on-site for those with a valid Dream Ride 2026 parking pass.
Pine Grove School (151 Scoville Road, Avon):
- Friday, Aug. 21 - 4:30 to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 22 - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 23 - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Thompson Brook School (150 Thompson Road, Avon):
- Friday, Aug. 21 - 4:30 to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 22 - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 23 - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
99 Thompson Rd., Avon:
- Friday, Aug. 21 - 4:30 to 10 p.m.
- Saturday, Aug. 22 - 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.
- Sunday, Aug. 23 - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Avon High School (510 W. Avon Road, Avon):
This lot will be used as an overflow lot should Pine Grove, Thompson Brook & 99 Thompson reach capacity.
11 South Road, Farmington: Sunday Only – Parking Lot
- Sunday, Aug. 23 - 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
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| New Britain Summer Concert Series |
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| The summer has flown by, but there are still five more free concerts in New Britain! Check out the date below. |
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Save the Date for Mayor Sanchez's One City Celebration on Saturday, Sept. 26.
More details, entertainment announcements, vendor information, and sponsorship opportunities coming soon.
One City. One Community. One Celebration. |
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As always, if I can be of assistance to you and your family, please don't hesitate to reach out to me at 860-240-8585 or email me at Gary.Turco@cga.ct.gov. Don't forget to "LIKE" my Facebook page for news and legislative updates!
Sincerely,
Gary Turco
State Representative |
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