Chris Poulos

It was an excellent evening of great food and catching up with neighbors at the 21st annual Taste of Southington on Wednesday.

Thank you to the many Southington residents who came out to support our local restaurants, and a special shout out to the The Barnes Museum for hosting the event and TD Bank for sponsoring it.

Please continue reading below for other noteworthy items, and thanks as always for taking the time to read them!

Shout out and thank you to Evelyn Hawley for organizing her second annual “Backflips for Backpacks” event, which will support Southington Community Services with over 100 donated backpacks filled with school supplies for those most in need.

During the 2024 Legislative Session, I was proud to support PA 24-76, which curbed the proliferation of unregulated cannabis and hemp products and set clear rules for THC-infused beverages and other intoxicating products made from hemp and sold under a loophole in federal law.

I submitted testimony to the General Law Committee after a concern was brought to me by STEPS Youth Council in Southington, an organization of high school students who are passionate about substance abuse prevention in addition to mental health services and leadership skills. STEPS was worried about the influx of cannabis-infused seltzers and their accessibility to young people. Many of these seltzers seemingly exploited a loophole in our cannabis laws around serving size on the label of THC seltzers. Companies altered the serving size proportions on their labels to sell outside of cannabis dispensaries. As such, these beverages were for sale in convenience stores, in reach of under-age consumers. 

This loophole has now been closed, which is a public policy win for community and our kids. I want to thank Southington Town Councilor Chris Palmieri, STEPS Youth Prevention Coordinator Megan Albanese, and STEPS Advisory Board President Billy Palmieri for their advocacy, leadership of the General Law Committee on both sides of the aisle, and my colleagues who voted for it in an overwhelmingly bipartisan way.

Connecticut's annual Sales Tax-Free Week begins on Sunday, August 18 and runs through Saturday, August 24. It provides a chance to save money, whether it is taking the kids back-to-school shopping or treating yourself or your loved ones.
 
Retailers throughout the state offer additional discounts on clothing and footwear during Sales Tax-Free Week, providing consumers with even more ways to stretch their spending power.

During this tax holiday, most clothing and footwear items priced less than $100 are exempt from Connecticut's 6.35% sales tax. The exemption applies to each eligible item costing less than $100, regardless of how many of those items are sold to a customer in the same transaction. It applies to purchases made in-store, online, mail-order, and over the phone.

Click the button below for a list of exempt and taxable items. 

Shop smart – and locally whenever possible to support small businesses – to save during Connecticut’s Sales Tax-Free Week!

I recently met with the Susan Lonczak, Director of Health at South Central Health District that services Southington, to begin a discussion on potential grants that would enable our Health District to support the Connecticut Department of Public Health's recently launched campaign called Lead Free CT! The goal of the program is to protect children from the harmful health impacts of lead and create a lead-free Connecticut.

Key objectives of the program include:

• Making older homes where children or pregnant people live lead safe
• Collecting information on all known lead service water lines in Connecticut
• Replacing lead pipes that bring water to homes, childcare centers, and schools
• Supporting families who find lead in their home or water
• Offering funding to get Connecticut communities lead-free
• Having all Connecticut children tested for lead
• Raising awareness of lead testing and safety among parents
• Educating communities, contractors, and landlords on lead laws and safety

To learn more, visit LeadFreeCT.org

Tomorrow is National Connecticut Day! I am proud to represent a state rich in history, innovation, and natural beauty. Let's celebrate all that makes Connecticut special - from our vibrant communities to our pioneering spirit. Here’s to the people who make our state shine!