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Happy Tuesday! It's been a very busy few weeks in our district, and I can't wait to tell you about what I've been up to.
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I’m truly moved to be recognized by the Connecticut Early Childhood Alliance as a Friend of Early Childhood. To be included among such amazing leaders is a real honor.
Early childhood has always been close to my heart, and I’m committed to continuing this important work for Connecticut’s families. I’m so grateful for the opportunity to do this work.
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A huge thank you to the Plainville Community!
The items from the food drive have been delivered to the Plainville Community Good Pantry. Your incredible generosity helped us collect 968 lbs of food, $301 in donations, and a $10 Gnazzo’s gift card for the Plainville Community Food Pantry. Your kindness truly makes a difference!
I am also so appreciative to the amazing crew who helped me collect donations at Gnazzo’s and transport everything to the pantry:
Brittany Bouchard, Rob Michalik Jr., Anthony and Emily Wasley, Christopher Wazorko, Quinn Christopher, Dan Hurley, and Ben Gediman — thank you for jumping in to assist with such short notice.
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It was an honor to join the Sirois family, fellow veterans, and community members in paying tribute to Command Sergeant Major Gary F. Sirois—a man whose courage, service, and devotion to his fellow soldiers left an indelible mark on our nation.
As State Representative for the 22nd District, I had the honor of presenting a formal citation and an official proclamation from Governor Ned Lamont’s office, recognizing CSM Sirois’s distinguished military service, including his valor during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Two American flags flown over our State Capitol were presented to his daughters, Samantha Sirois Pawloski and Melissa Sirois, as symbols of our enduring gratitude and respect.
A heartfelt thank you to Orion Protective Services for hosting this powerful event and for the extraordinary care they put into every detail. The tribute room they created in Gary’s honor was deeply moving—a space filled with reverence, memory, and love. It reminded us all that honoring our heroes means more than words; it means creating places where their legacy lives on.
This ceremony was more than remembrance—it was a reaffirmation of our commitment to such an important mission: supporting our veterans, protecting their mental health, and ensuring no one who served walks alone.
We remember.
We honor.
We continue the mission.
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I started my very first healthcare job on the oncology unit at HOCC as a nursing assistant—on my 18th birthday. That experience shaped so much of my understanding of care, compassion, and patient advocacy.
Recently, I had the privilege of celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute at The Hospital of Central Connecticut—an outpatient cancer center that continues to raise the bar in oncology care.
It felt like coming home.
It’s incredible to see how oncology care has evolved across both inpatient and outpatient settings, and I’m proud to witness the continued commitment to excellence, innovation, and compassion.
What makes this place truly exceptional is its staff. From nurses and assistants to physicians, social workers, pharmacy teams, and support staff—every person here brings unmatched expertise, empathy, and dedication to their patients. I was thrilled to celebrate this milestone with such an extraordinary group.
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In the rest of this week's eblast, you can read about Sales Tax-Free Week, the renewal of our state's student loan relief program, and more. You can click the links below to navigate between sections.
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It’s hard to believe, but we’re just a couple of weeks away from the start of another school year.
Connecticut’s 26th annual Sales Tax-Free Week began yesterday and runs through Saturday, August 23. It is a great opportunity to tackle your back-to-school shopping without paying sales tax!
Highlights of Sales Tax-Free Week:
- Sales or purchases of certain items of clothing or footwear costing less than $100 per item are exempt from Connecticut's 6.35% sales tax
- Sales Tax-Free Week applies to purchases made in-store, online, mail-order, and over the phone
- This special exemption applies to purchases made from retailers located in Connecticut as well as from online retailers
Shop smart – and locally whenever possible to support small businesses – to save during Connecticut’s Sales Tax-Free Week!
Click here to read a list of tax exempt and taxable items during Sales Tax-Free week!
And to read some frequently asked questions about Sales Tax-Free Week, click here.
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The Connecticut Office of Higher Education (OHE) announced that the Student Loan Reimbursement Program (SLRP) has reopened for applications.
The SLRP provides up to $5,000 annually, with a four-year cap at $20,000, to eligible applicants who meet service and income requirements.
Recent changes have expanded eligibility for Connecticut’s student loan relief program, helping it reach more residents burdened by student debt.
The updated criteria now recognize a wider range of educational and volunteer experiences, allowing more individuals to qualify for assistance. Notably, former Stone Academy students may now be eligible for relief following the school's closure. Those who did not receive a tuition refund are now eligible for reimbursement.
According to OHE, these changes are designed to provide a pathway to recover from both educational and financial setbacks, ensuring the program serves those most in need.
The following includes the program’s key eligibility requirements:
- Must be a Connecticut resident for at least five consecutive years
- Must have an outstanding student loan balance and made a qualifying payment in 2024
- Must have graduated from a Connecticut college/university, or attended a program to earn a professional license/certificate
- Income limits: $125,000 for individuals and $175,000 for married applicants
- Must have 50 hours of verified volunteer service since Jan. 1, 2024, at a qualifying nonprofit, municipal agency, or through military service
- A hardship waiver may be requested in certain cases of degree non-completion
Applicants must create an account, complete the application, and upload all required documents to be considered for approval. Click here to create an account and apply, and click here to read some frequently asked questions about the program.
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Attention Future Educators in Connecticut!
The Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program, established by the Connecticut General Assembly and administered by the CT State Department of Education (CSDE), is now open for applications!
This scholarship supports students who:
Graduated from a public high school in an Alliance District
- Are enrolled—or will soon enroll—in a teacher preparation program at a four-year college or university
- Are in good academic standing
- Meet any additional CSDE eligibility requirements
Up to $10,000 per year is available for eligible students, including:
High school seniors planning to begin a teacher prep program this fall
Undergraduate or graduate students already enrolled in an approved program
Don’t miss this opportunity to get financial support as you prepare to inspire the next generation of learners!
Apply now and take the next step toward becoming an educator.
https://shorturl.at/r7Rfc
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The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) announced the next round of Ignite and Child Care Business Grant Programs.
The Ignite Grant Program is designed to help women-owned businesses grow. The program offers grants of up to $10,000 to women-owned businesses in the state of Connecticut who have been in business for 2 or more years and have revenues between $25K and $2 million. The application period for Ignite grants runs from August 5 through September 16, 2025. You can find additional information on Ignite here.
The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund, offered in partnership with the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood (OEC), provides grants of up to $25,000 to qualified licensed and aspiring child care businesses. The program offers grants targeting different stages of business, from start-ups to those ready to expand. The application period for Child Care Business grants runs from August 1 through August 31, 2025. You can find more information on the Child Care Business Opportunity Fund grants here.
Information sessions for both grant programs are scheduled throughout the application periods. These sessions will help applicants understand the grant requirements and provide an opportunity for those interested to ask questions about the grants. Interested applicants can register for a live information session here.
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Plainville Congregational Church 175th Anniversary CelebrationThe Congregational Church of Plainville, UCC (130 West Main St., Plainville)September 7, 3:00pmRead more here
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24th Annual Helen & Danny Coughlin Memorial WalkNorton Park, South Washington St., PlainvilleSeptember 20, 9amRead more here
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Farmington 2025 Concert SeriesStaples House Green (2 Monteith Dr., Farmington)June 12 - August 21, 6:30-8:30pmRead more here
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From the Porch: Screaming Orphans Celtic Folk and RockHill-Stead Museum (35 Mountain Rd., Farmington)August 22, 6-7pmRead more here
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Southington Drive-InSouthington Drive-In (995 Meriden-Waterbury Turnpike, Southington)May 31 - September 13, 6pmRead more here
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Southington Music on the Green Concert SeriesSouthington Town Green (Route 1/Main St.)May 28 - September 3, 7-9pmRead more here
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Southington Farmers MarketSouthington Town GreenEvery Friday, June 20 - Sept. 26, 3-6pmRead more here
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Southington Apple Harvest FestivalSouthington Town GreenWeekend 1: Oct. 3 - Oct. 5Weekend 2: October 10 - Oct. 12Read more here
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Sincerely,
Rebecca Martinez
State Representative |
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