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| Dear Neighbor,
On Monday, I testified during the Connecticut Insurance Department's informational meeting on health insurers' requests for double-digit increases on health insurance plans. This is unacceptable - especially as these same companies realize billions in profits while residents struggle to afford basic necessities.
This is why I have fought and will continue to advocate for a public health insurance option for our nonprofits and small businesses. You can watch my testimony by clicking the image below. |
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Connecticut's 2022 Sales Tax Free Week runs from August 21 to August 27. This is a great opportunity to take the kids back-to-school shopping or to treat yourself or your loved ones while saving money. To highlight this tax holiday, I was happy to join the Governor, West Hartford Mayor Shari Cantor and state and local leaders at Fleet Feet in West Hartford! Sales tax free week is a win for each of us as consumers as well as our local businesses as we head into the fall season.
Many retailers in Connecticut offer additional discounts on clothing and footwear during Sales Tax Free Week, providing consumers with even more savings.
During the one-week sales tax holiday, most clothing and footwear items priced under $100 are exempt from the Connecticut sales tax. The exemption during Sales Tax Free Week applies to each eligible item costing under $100, regardless of how many of those items are sold to a customer in the same transaction. The tax holiday applies to purchases made in-store, online, mail-order, and over the phone.
The sales tax holiday occurs once a year as a result of legislation passed in 2015. However, in 2022, we passed a special act to establish a one-time tax holiday that ran from April 10 to 16 to help ease some of the financial strain on residents. The law also established CT's gas tax holiday and free bus service, which have been extended through the end of November.
More information about Connecticut’s Sales Tax Holiday, including a list of exempt and taxable items, is available on the Department of Revenue Services website. |
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| I am excited to announce that CareerCT, a program I supported to help individuals whose employment was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, has started.
The initiative, which will benefit thousands of state residents, is funded with $70 million from the federal American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA).
Over 19 job training programs have been committed to help train targeted Connecticut workers mostly underrepresented in the workforce, including Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), people with disabilities, the re-entry population, opportunity youth, veterans, immigrants, and women. |
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| Potential job seekers will have access to several training options including opportunities in manufacturing, information technology, health care, infrastructure and clean energy, and other high-demand sectors.
Each program will include supportive services to promote successful completion of training and connection to employment including childcare, transportation, career advising, and other forms of case management. Training and supportive services will be available at no cost to eligible participants. |
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| The West Hartford Police Department accepting applications for its "Behind the Badge" Citizen's Academy. The academy starts on Wednesday, September 28 and will end on Wednesday, November 16. Classes meet every Wednesday from 6 PM to 9 PM at the West Hartford Police Department.
The program seeks to familiarize residents with aspects of law enforcement, including challenges, program, concerns officers face as well as common procedures and practices. Over the 8-week course, participants will learn about a variety of topics including recruitment and training, emergency response, patrol procedures, use of force, communications, crime scene investigation, K9 unit, and more.
Interested persons can complete the application here. The completed application can be mailed to the department or dropped off. For more information, please contact the Community Relations Division at 860-570-8820. |
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| If you're a parent in Connecticut with at least one child 12 or younger, the Connecticut Office of Early Childhood wants to hear from you about how it can better serve families in our state. Once the survey is completed, you'll be entered a raffle to win 1 out of 20 $100 gift cards. The survey is available in a variety of languages. Click the button below to get started. |
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| Next Monday, August 22, don't miss the West Hartford Pooch Plunge at Beachland Park at 4 PM! This end-of-summer special event will help raise funds for a future dog park. Tennis balls will be provided. Then entrance fee is $15. To learn more about this event, please click here. |
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| As always, if I can be of assistance to you and your family, please reach out to me at 860-240-8585 or email me at Kate.Farrar@cga.ct.gov. Follow @KateforCT on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram to stay up-to-date on everything I'm doing at the Capitol!
Sincerely,
Kate Farrar
State Representative
she/her/hers |
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