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Before the session ended, the House and Senate passed SB 4, an omnibus energy affordability bill, now Public Act 25-173.
The legislation was a collaborative effort with Governor Lamont, Democratic and Republican lawmakers, containing a number of actions to reduce electric bills. The legislation called for bond funding to help alleviate costs to customers.
Last Friday, the State Bond Commission took the final steps necessary to give residents some relief on their energy bills by approving $155 million in state bond funding to offset certain public benefits charges on electric bills, delivering consumers some relief on these costs. |
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The bond commission released:
- $125 million to be used to reduce the costs associated with hardship protection programs for low-income customers who are having difficulties paying for their electric bills
- $30 million to be used to reduce the costs associated with the electric vehicle charging program that funds the infrastructure to integrate electric vehicles and related technologies into the electric grid.
The average customer savings are still being calculated; however, it is anticipated that customers will see a reduction of approximately $10 per month in the public benefits portion of their bills, depending on the utility, customer type, and usage. The reductions will likely take effect around September 2025 and continue into 2026.
Another round of state bond funding is expected to be released in 2026, which will enable a second round of reductions in public benefits charges to take effect after this initial round expires, enabling these savings to continue into 2027.
These savings come in addition to the 25% reduction in public benefits charges that the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) approved in the May 2025 rate adjustment mechanism, as well as the 13% reduction in supply rates for Eversource customers and 14% reduction in supply rates for United Illuminating customers that went into effect on July 1.
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| Students and their families will have an opportunity to meet and greet their school administrators and other staff members. Vendors and community partners will also be present, offering more information about local resources, giveaways, and food! Check out the CSDNB Back to School Bash at Walnut Hill Park next Thursday from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. |
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| You don't want to miss this one. Twelve years running! |
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| Another opportunity to have some fun before summer ends! |
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Connecticut's annual Sales Tax-Free Week begins on Sunday, August 17, and runs through Saturday, August 23. It provides a chance to save money, whether it is taking the kids back-to-school shopping or treating yourself or your loved ones.
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.
This is Connecticut's 26th Sales Tax Free Week.
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| Click the button below for a list of exempt and taxable items during Connecticut's Sales Tax-Free Week: |
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| Shop smart – and locally whenever possible to support small businesses – to save during Connecticut’s Sales Tax-Free Week! |
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| The Women’s Business Development Council (WBDC) has announced the next round of Ignite and Child Care Business Grant Programs. |
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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.
Since this program was launched in 2020, nearly $8.4 million has been awarded to child care businesses in every corner of Connecticut.
The application period for Child Care Business grants runs from August 1 through August 31, 2025. You can find more information on Child Care Business Opportunity Fund grants here. |
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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.
Since the start of the program, 424 grants of over $3.9 million have been awarded to women-owned businesses in Connecticut.
The application period for this grant runs from August 5 through September 16, 2025. You can find additional information on Ignite here. Interested applicants can register for a live information session here. |
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| Please click on the video below regarding e-bike and e-scooter injuries in Connecticut. Of note: In May and June, Connecticut Children's treated 24 kids in the emergency department due to e-bike injuries. They may be eco-friendly, cool, and fun, but e-bikes and e-scooters can be dangerous, too, if you're not careful. |
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| We have a wonderful resource in the state of Connecticut, known as the Office of the Healthcare Advocate. Recently, they shared a video on how they can help you when dealing with insurance companies over procedures, billing, and more. Please see the video below. |
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House of Heroes is a Veteran’s non-profit that helps Veterans and/or their spouses with simple home repairs, free of charge. They are currently in search of Veterans within the Hartford County area for service projects over the next few months.
If you know of a Veteran in your district who could use this assistance, I highly encourage you to apply as their sponsor HERE.
The basic requirements for the Veteran receiving the assistance are:
- Be a Military or Public Safety Veteran or their spouse (DD 214 Discharge paperwork required)
- Need financial and/or physical assistance with home repair
- Own and occupy the home to be repaired
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