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I hope this message finds you and your family well! This Thursday, I am holding an Information Session on the ArrayRX Discount Program with Comptroller Scanlon in Ansonia, and Friday is my Monthly Coffee Hour at Valley Diner. Further down in this email, you can find more information on these upcoming events, read about new laws in effect, learn about the Summer EBT program for children, and more.
As always, I am here to listen and be a resource for Ansonia and Derby residents, whether it be to discuss a policy item, navigate a state agency, or anything else you may need help with that is under my jurisdiction. Please don't hesitate to reach out to my office at any time and email me at kara.rochelle@cga.ct.gov. |
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| ArrayRX Discount Program Information Session |
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Prescription drugs are expensive, here is a resource to help make them more affordable for you.Join me for an information session on the ArrayRx Discount Card with Comptroller Sean Scanlon on Thursday, July 16th, at noon at the Ansonia Senior Center. Comptroller Scanlon and I will discuss the benefits of the ArrayRx program, which negotiates discounts with pharmacy networks and rebates with drug manufacturers to make many common drugs available at a fraction of the price. ArrayRx is a great tool to bring down the high cost of prescription drugs. The card is free to every Connecticut resident, with no restrictions on age or income. For anyone on high-deductible health plans, the uninsured, and Medicare recipients who use prescriptions not covered, it will make a huge difference.
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| July Coffee Hour: This Friday |
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Please join me this Friday, July 17th, for my monthly in-person “Coffee with Kara” Event from 8 a.m. to 9 a.m. at Valley Diner, 636 New Haven Ave, Derby.Ansonia and Derby residents are welcome to attend this event. Please feel welcome to come share your thoughts, ask questions, provide feedback on state policy issues, or just join in on the conversation.I host these events each month because your feedback is important to me. If you are unable to make it, please reach out to my office at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov, and I am happy to set up a time to meet.
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| New Laws Effective July 1st |
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Several new laws that we passed during the 2026 legislative session will take effect next week, on July 1st, bringing important changes for Connecticut residents.
One new law, Public Act 26-12, strengthens recruitment and retention efforts for Connecticut's first responders. The legislation expands benefits such as tuition waivers and mortgage assistance for police officers, firefighters, correction officers, EMS personnel, and National Guard members, while also providing support for the families of certain public safety personnel who die in the line of duty.
Among them is Public Act 26-42, which expands access to voting by allowing any eligible voter to cast an absentee ballot without needing to provide a specific reason. This law was passed after a statewide ballot initiative was approved by voters.
Public Act 26-1 provides stronger workplace protections for employees at warehouses and fulfillment centers. The law ensures that productivity quotas do not interfere with legally required meal and bathroom breaks and requires employers to clearly communicate any quotas workers are expected to meet.
Public Act 26-12 includes a grant program for local and regional boards of education to offer free bus passes to public school students from ninth through 12th grade. The state Department of Veterans Affairs will offer a similar program for veterans. This program allows high school students and veterans across the state to receive free bus passes.
Several new tax changes will take effect, including a new research and development tax credit applied to personal income tax for qualifying small businesses, as well as an income tax credit for income-eligible family caregivers. During the annual sales tax-free week in August, the usual $100 exemption will rise to $300 and will now include backpacks and cleated athletic shoes to the list of items that can be bought tax-free.
These measures reflect our ongoing efforts to make voting more accessible, support those who serve our communities, and strengthen protections for Connecticut workers.
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| Summer EBT for 350,000 Children |
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Families across Connecticut are receiving extra help putting food on the table this summer through the Summer Electronic Benefit Transfer (S-EBT) program.
The Connecticut Department of Social Services, in partnership with the Connecticut State Department of Education, is providing a one-time $120 food benefit for each eligible child to help offset meal costs while school is out of session. More than 350,000 children are expected to get support from the program.
This investment helps families with children pay for food during the summer months while school is not in session. More than $42 million in S-EBT funding is expected to be provided to Connecticut families this summer.
Children may qualify if their family:
- Participates in SNAP, Temporary Family Assistance Program (TFA), or Husky A with an income below 185% of the federal poverty level or
- Was approved for free or reduced-price school meals during the 2025-26 school year.
Most eligible families automatically received their benefits electronically last weekend. They are being loaded onto existing SNAP or EBT cards, including previously issued Summer EBT cards. Families new to the program will receive an EBT card by mail.
Families who are not automatically enrolled can apply for Summer EBT through August 31, 2026.
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| Save the Date: Valley Senior Fair |
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I am once again proud to host the annual Valley Senior Fair with Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro and State Senator Jorge Cabrera!
This year's Senior Fair will take place on Wednesday, October 7th, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Warsaw Park in Ansonia. The event will have different local and state services, organizations, and programs available to seniors, onsite health screening, and more.
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Valley Community Gardens is holding a Basic Gardening Class Series with the first class taking place on Thursday, July 9th, at 5:30 p.m., at Trinity Episcopal Church of Seymour. Click here for more info.
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The July Master's Table Community Meals will take place on Sunday, July 26th, from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Huntington Congregations Church. Free and open to the public.
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The Life Coaching Ministries of CT will hold a Watercolor Painting Card Class with Theresa at 1 p.m. on Wednesday, July 15th.
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The Griffin Health AgeWell Program is holding a community discussion series around the Valley on "Are you Hearing Aware?" The program will be held at the Ansonia Senior Center from 1:30-2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 23rd.
View the flyer below for additional program dates around the Valley. Free blood pressure screening will be available.
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Please feel free to contact me with any thoughts or concerns you may have at Kara.Rochelle@cga.ct.gov or 1-800-842-8267. Follow my Facebook page for regular legislative updates.
All my Best,
Kara Rochelle
State Representative
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