HARTFORD – State Representative Devin Carney (R-23) submitted a letter to the Department of Economic and Community Development in support of the Town of Old Saybrook’s CT Communities Challenge Grant application to revitalize the former Dock & Dine property. The letter also received support from Old Saybrook’s State Senators Paul Formica (R-20) and Norm Needleman (D-33).

“Many of us have fond memories of the Dock & Dine as a gathering place…

Fortuna, Formica, Needleman, Carney Applaud Investment

 OLD SAYBROOK, CT – Old Saybrook has been approved to receive $500,000 in state funding for sidewalks on Route 1 from the Westbrook town line to Old Post Road.

The grant is provided through the Small Town Economic Assistance Program (STEAP), a state program managed by the Office of Policy and Management (OPM) that delivers grants to small towns for economic development, community conservation, and quality-of-life capital projects.

“We are thrilled…

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

October 1^st marks the effective date of many new laws. Below are links for information on notable laws (or sections of laws) taking effect that address juvenile crime, youth mental health, our state’s energy future, government transparency, and lifting the cap on cottage food.

AN ACT CONCERNING JUVENILE JUSTICE AND SERVICES, FIREARMS BACKGROUND CHECKS, AND LARCENY OF A MOTOR VEHICLE.
Public Act No. 22-115 (Sec. 1-4, 6-10, 13-18)
Summary
House Bill No. 5417

AN ACT CONCERNING…

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) recently announced their annual “Stand Down” event for Veterans scheduled for Friday, September 23rd from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. at five locations across the state.

These events are a one-stop location for Connecticut’s Veterans, Active Duty, National Guard and Reserve military personnel, and their immediate families to access DVA services and programs from federal agencies, Veterans organizations, and community-based…

August 31st – is International Overdose Awareness Day. In observance 1,531 flags have been placed on the Capitol grounds representing the lives lost due to overdose in Connecticut in 2021. This issue has touched every community in our state and many of us personally, I want to thank everyone who works to help those suffering from addiction. Resources are available and recovery is possible; learn more at www.drugfreect.org

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

On August 29^th, Republican members of the Appropriations, Energy, and Human Services committees proposed an amendment to supplement $79.2 million in expected federal Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) funds to increase total home energy assistance to $191.5 million. The amendment, however, was not entertained by the majority party and rejected on procedural grounds.

As a result, millions of dollars in potential relief was left on the table.

To overcome procedural…

Dear Friends & Neighbors,

With school starting and thousands of children soon waiting at the end of their driveways or on the side of a road for the bus, I wanted to remind everyone to be careful on our public roadways. When school is in session, drivers should use extra caution, especially near bus stops, schools, playgrounds, and athletic fields.

Safety tips for drivers:

• State law prohibits passing a school bus with its lights flashing. Some school buses are equipped with cameras to record passing…
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In early June, my Republican colleagues and I raised concerns about the financial pressure residents would experience this fall as they faced the skyrocketing expense of heating their homes. We proposed a plan to use some of the state’s significant surplus funds to provide additional home heating assistance to those who would need it. Our plan fell on deaf ears. Our concern on this subject continues as the legislature grapples with the reality that one-time federal funding for people who rely on…

Dear Friends and Neighbors,

From Sunday, August 21, through Saturday, August 27, there will be a tax-free holiday on clothing and footwear. Items sold at $100 or under will not be subject to the state’s sales tax during this time. This is the 22nd annual sales tax free week which typically occurs during the third week of August.

Examples of Exempt Items

Examples of Exclusions

Earlier this year we passed legislation – HB 5501 “An Act Suspending Certain Gas Taxes and Sales and Use Taxes on Certain…

The Connecticut Insurance Department is considering substantial proposed rate increases for individual and small group (for employers with 50 or fewer workers) insurance markets. The average of the proposed rate increases is 20%. Nine health insurance providers covering approximately 206,000 people have filed for increases. The filings are for both the state-sponsored health insurance exchange, Access Health CT, and off-exchange plans.

According to the Insurance Dept.,

• The proposed average individual…
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