Juan R. Candelaria

Now that the new school year is underway, drivers need to remember to stop for school buses displaying flashing red lights and slow down in school zones. We have strengthened Connecticut’s laws to hold drivers accountable and help keep our children safe.

Under state law, drivers who fail to stop for a school bus displaying its flashing red lights face a $450 fine for the first offense. A second offense carries a $500 to $1,000, up to 30 days in jail, or both.

Beginning October 1, 2026, drivers who violate the school bus stopping law for a third or subsequent time will also face a six-month suspension of their driver’s license.

A new school year is just around the corner! As summer comes to a close, families are getting ready to settle into new routines, gather school supplies, and embrace an exciting year filled with learning, growth, and new opportunities.

Don’t forget that this year’s Connecticut Sales Tax Free Week runs through Saturday, August 22, so there’s still time to save on back-to-school shopping for your children.

During the tax-free week, certain items of clothing and footwear costing less than $300 per item are exempt from sales tax. The exemption applies to purchases made from retailers located in Connecticut as well as qualifying purchases from online retailers.

The 2026 Connecticut Sales Tax Free Week is Sunday, August 16th, through Saturday, August 22nd. This 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 items of clothing or footwear costing less than $300 per item are exempt from sales tax.

A new one-time grocery benefit of $300 each is being distributed to low-income Connecticut residents who have been pushed out of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) due to federal changes.

The grocery benefits, through a partnership the Connecticut Department of Social Services (DSS) arranged with Connecticut’s network of community action agencies and with support provided by the Connecticut Association for Community Action (CAFCA), will be distributed as prepaid virtual grocery cards—not loaded onto existing EBT cards.

Connecticut closed the 2025-26 fiscal year with a budget surplus for the eighth straight year. Thanks to fiscal guardrails created by the General Assembly in 2017, those surpluses are contributing to paying down the state’s unfunded pension obligations, so future debt payments are hundreds of millions of dollars smaller than they would have been.

You will soon be able to shop, compare plans, and enroll in health and dental coverage through the state’s official health insurance marketplace. Access Health CT’s open enrollment period runs from October 23 through December 23, giving residents an early start this year to explore their options and choose the coverage that best fits their needs.

As our youth enjoy these summer months away from school, don't forget that nutritious meals are available at no cost to all children in the state!

As part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Summer Food Service Program, any child 18 and under may receive meals at participating locations - no application, proof of income, or identification required.

You can use the U.S. DAG's Summer Meals Site Finder or call 2-1-1 to find participating meal sites throughout the state. Please confirm the location and meal service times before visiting to make sure you don't miss out.

As we celebrate the Fourth of July and commemorate America's 250th Anniversary, we honor the courage, vision, and sacrifices of those who established our nation.

This historic milestone invites us to reflect on our shared heritage, celebrate the freedoms we enjoy, and reaffirm our commitment to the ideals of liberty, equality, and opportunity that continue to guide our country. On this Independence Day, let us come together in gratitude, patriotism, and a renewed commitment to the ideals that define our nation.