Sales Tax Free Week Begins Sunday!

free
April 8, 2022

To put money back into your pockets, my colleagues and I recently passed legislation to suspend our state's gas tax and offer free bus service through June 30. The bill also created an additional Sales Tax Free Week, which kicks-off this Sunday, April 10 through Saturday, April 16. If your kids are home on spring vacation, this is a great opportunity to save on their spring and summer wardrobe.

During this one-week sales tax holiday, retail purchases of most clothing and footwear items under $100 will be exempt from Connecticut's sales tax.

Many retailers in Connecticut offer additional clothing and footwear discounts during Sales Tax Free Week, resulting in even more savings for shoppers.

You can learn more about Connecticut’s Sales Tax Free Week, including a list of tax exempt items,

here.

We hope this law alleviates some of the financial pressure on your wallets, and we hope to deliver more relief this session. The legislature's Appropriations and Finance Committees are expected to announce their state budget proposals this week. Keep an eye out for updates about what these proposals could mean for consumers like you and the tax relief they may offer.
 
Renters' Rebate
The Renters' Rebate program opened Friday and will run through October 1st. This program provides rental reimbursement to elderly and disabled residents in need. These rebates can be up to $900 for married couples and $700 for individuals. The amount is based on a graduated income scale and the amount of rent and utility payments (excluding telephone) made in the prior calendar year.
Who is eligible?
 
Renters who meet the one-year state residency requirement, and are one of the following:
  • A renter (or their spouse) who is 65 years of age or older, or
  • A renter who is 50 years of age or older and is the surviving spouse of a renter who at the time of the renter's death had qualified and was entitled to tax relief provided such spouse was domiciled with such renter at the time of the renters’ death, or
  • A renter who is 18 years of age or older and eligible to receive Social Security Disability benefits.

Applications can be made at the town social service agency or the local Assessor's Office.

For more information, please call the Renters’ Rebate Hotline at 860-418-6377 or click the button below to visit the website.

Also, please, don't hesitate to share this information with anyone that might be able to take advantage of this program, which helps people on low or fixed incomes. During these difficult economic times, programs like this are more important than ever.

Renters' Rebate Resources
 
Distracted Driving
April is Distracted Driving Awareness Month, and as the weather warms back up, increasing the foot and bike traffic on the roads, it is important that you stay alert when behind the wheel.
Distracted driving is a leading cause of accidents with nearly 5,000 crashes attributed to distracted driving in Connecticut in 2020 alone. In an effort to keep everyone safe on our roads, the penalties for texting while behind the wheel increased on October 1, 2021.

The new fines for driving while distracted are:
  • First violation, offenders are fined $200 (previously $150)
  • Second violation, offenders are fined $375 (previously $300)
  • Third or subsequent violation, offenders are fined $625 (previously $500)
 
Legislature Kickball
I wanted to let you know that I will participate in the first-ever CGA Kickball Classic, featuring Democrats vs. Republicans in the spirit of bipartisanship.

The game will be played at Dunkin Donuts Park - the Yard Goats home stadium - on Monday April 11th at 4:30PM Tickets are $10 with all proceeds going to Connecticut Foodshare. If you would like to purchase tickets in advance. You can do so by clicking on the image below. If you can't make it to the game but would like to donate to Connecticut Foodshare, you can do so

here.
 
Children's Workshop in Derby
The Derby Historical Society is hosting a Children's Rag Doll Making Workshop on Tuesday, April 12 from 10AM - 12PM at the David Humphreys House. Preregistration is required for the event as seats are limited. There is also an option to purchase and pick-up a take-home kit. To either register, or order a take-home kit, please email info@derbyhistorical.org.
 
Earth Day in Woodbridge
Woodbridge will host a reduce, reuse, recycle event on Saturday, April 23 to celebrate Earth Day! Residents are invited to bring recyclable and reusable items to the Library Lawn  from 10AM -1PM and participate in any of the numerous events taking place. including the annual tag sale.

I hope you will come down to participate. If you would like to learn more about the event, please click here.
 
Aid for Ukraine
As we continue to watch the horrifying and saddening conflict between Russia and Ukraine, I wanted to remind you all that we do not have to sit back helplessly, there are ways we can offer aid and support to the innocent citizens of Ukraine.

Fellow community member, Olena Lennon, provided us with this list of legitimate donation sites for aid to the Ukrainian community.

Click here to help volunteer to help Ukraine.

Click here to learn more about projects helping Ukraine.

Click here to support funding to cover administrative costs to help Ukraine.

Click here to learn how to help Ukrainians.

Our community, state and country all stand with the innocent citizens of Ukraine and we will continue to do all we can to offer support while actively trying to deescalate conflict.