Happy Thanksgiving & Small Business Saturday

November 22, 2023


I wish to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude. In this season of reflection, I am especially thankful for the unique gift of friends like you, the joy of shared moments and the support that surrounds us. Happy Thanksgiving!

Simsbury has so many unique locally owned retail stores, coffee shops, and restaurants. You have an opportunity to support your neighbor business owners by shopping local this upcoming weekend on Small Business Saturday. It's always a favorite of mine -- please consider shopping at your neighborhood stores and restaurants. You will find a list of participating businesses below.

My colleagues and I will return to the Capitol in a just a few short weeks. In the meantime, I would like to remind you there will be early voting in 2024. Please keep reading to learn about some of the changes you can expect in future elections.
 
Here are the sections in this week's email. You can scroll down until you find the topic you are looking for:

  • Happy Thanksgiving
  • CT's Strong Business Climate
  • New Election Laws
  • Small Business Saturday
  • Community Events
 
Happy Thanksgiving
Our community is strong thanks to our residents and everyone working together to make Simsbury and the rest of our state a great place to live. 
 
May your Thanksgiving be filled with the love of family and the company of good friends as we all cherish these moments of togetherness and celebrate the blessings that make life special. Let's also extend our thoughts to those facing difficulties, and think of the importance of compassion and generosity.

I am thankful for the opportunity to work for you in Hartford. It is a true honor to represent you.
 
From my family to yours, Happy Thanksgiving! 
 
CT's Strong Business Climate

Thanks to our strong, fiscally responsible policies at the state level:

  • Our bond ratings are stellar.
  • Job growth numbers keep improving.
  • We have cut billions in unfunded pension debts from our balance sheets.
  • We paid back the pandemic-era Unemployment Trust Fund loan, which is great news for local businesses.
This proactive repayment of the Unemployment Trust loan sends a strong message that Connecticut is open for business.
 
The Governor's Office has details on the unemployment repayment below.
Unemployment Loan Repayment Announcement
In addition, businesses in Connecticut will receive a nearly 10% drop in rates for workers' compensation insurance beginning on January 1, 2024. This marks the tenth consecutive year the Connecticut Insurance Department approved rate decreases. Lower rates translate into more savings, allowing businesses to invest in their workers. CLICK HERE to learn more about the history of workers' compensation rate changes.
 
New Election Laws
My colleagues and I passed new election laws that will take effect starting on January 1, 2024. Recently, constituents asked me about the new legislation so here is a recap of some of our accomplishments.
 
Connecticut will join 46 other states in expanding the hours for voters to cast their ballot and vote in person. The governor signed Public Act 23-5 which requires:
We also adopted anti-discrimination laws to further protect the voting rights of historically disenfranchised voters at the ballot box.
 
In addition, next year, Connecticut voters will decide if we will move forward with no-excuse absentee voting. With heightened attention to absentee ballot voting due to the Bridgeport primary challenge, I am especially eager to hear the thoughts of Simsbury residents about possibly expanding absentee ballot voting in the future. Please reach out with your thoughts on this subject.  
Learn More About No-Excuse Absentee Voting
 
Small Business Saturday
We have a great deal to look forward to in the upcoming days with Thanksgiving celebrations, being together with loved ones, and Small Business Saturday just around the corner on November 25. The latter is a great opportunity to support our local entrepreneurs, artisans, and small businesses that make our community unique and vibrant.
 
Some of these businesses are still working to recover from the pandemic. Your support can make a significant difference in helping your favorite shops, bookstores, or restaurants bounce back and thrive. The resilience they've shown during such challenging times is truly admirable.
By choosing to shop local, we're not just making purchases; we're investing in our community's vitality and ensuring that these businesses can continue to create jobs, offer unique products and services, and help stimulate our local economy. Let's come together this holiday season to celebrate and support them. It's a powerful way to show solidarity and make a difference.
 
My colleagues and I doubled down by supporting small businesses during the 2023 legislative session.
With the holiday season quickly approaching, you may want to consider buying gift cards and certificates from a local business. According to Boost Suite, there are 350,376 small businesses in our state, which make up 99% of all businesses in Connecticut.
 
To find a small business in your area, please click here.
 
Thank you for supporting our locally owned businesses. I wish you and your family a happy holiday season.
 
Community Events
 
Join the new tradition of coming together the Saturday after Thanksgiving with your family and friends to WALK & TALK about the stuff that really matters! The event will be held Saturday, November 25 from 10 A.M. - 12 P.M. at the Simsbury Meadows Performing Arts Center.
Register Here!