The Connecticut Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) announced Veterans STAND DOWN 2023 will take place on September 22nd from 8:00 – 2:00 p.m. at five regional sites across the state.

While the COVID-19 pandemic changed the way many agencies and organizations operate, the DVA continues its commitment to serving Connecticut’s Veterans by providing access to a range of programs and services offered by state and federal agencies, Veterans organizations, and community-based non-profits.

Stand Down…

I wanted to make you aware that the application period for the 2023-2024 winter season of the Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) began on September 1, 2023. The program helps Connecticut residents – including both homeowners and renters – with the costs associated with heating their homes.

Basic benefits toward heating bills range from $180 to $530 depending on income, size of household, and need. Benefits are available for households with incomes up to 60% of the state median income, which…

To kick off the new school year, State Representative Kathleen McCarty happily joined Principal Robert Alves, teachers, paraprofessionals, administrators and friends for the annual Montville Schools Convocation.  Superintendent Laurie Pallin kicked the event off with music from Credence Clearwater Revival and an inspirational message for the educators to continue their strong work and positive attitudes that make Montville Schools a great place.

Rep. McCarty presented Teacher of the Year Derek Wainwright…

Friends and Neighbors,

An informational public meeting is being held later this month on 10 rate filings from 9 health insurers for 2024 plans both on and off Access Health CT, the state’s federal Affordable Care Act exchange. The public informational meeting will be held in a hybrid format, both in person at the Legislative Office Building, in Hartford, and online at CT-N.

The insurers are seeking an average hike of 12.4% on individual health plans next year and 14.8% on small group plans.

This…

Dear friends and neighbors,

With inflation causing prices to rise, we are paying more for everything we purchase, including food, clothing, and fuel, and saving money is more important than ever.

That being said, with school only a few weeks away for some students, I would like to remind you to take advantage of the upcoming “Tax Free Week,” which runs from Sunday, August 20 through Saturday, August 26.

Now is a great time to save on all of your children’s back-to-school wear, both in stores and…

Today, Governor Lamont signed the $51 billion bipartisan state budget into law. The package for FY 2024-25 is headlined by a state income tax cut for the middle- and low-income earners and families, the first in over three decades.

The fully balanced budget features more than $150 million for local education, establishes a phase-out on pension and annuity taxes, invests in public safety, and follows fiscal guardrails established with the 2017 bipartisan budget agreement. Each of these key initiatives…

Dear Friends,

Summer is a fantastic time of the year with myriad recreation opportunities like hiking, boating and swimming available in easy reach of each of our 169 communities.

Sadly, every year Connecticut residents and visitors go missing while boating, tubing, and swimming. Anyone near the water or planning to go into the water needs to be aware of the conditions and use caution.

Canoeists and kayakers should scout all waterways before attempting to run the swollen rivers or streams. Waterways…

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) recently announced that approximately $9 million in state grants are being released through the Connecticut Recreational Trails Program to plan, build, expand, and improve a total of 50 multi-use trails across Connecticut.

DEEP has seen demand for outdoor recreation increase dramatically since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020. Annual visits to locations in the Connecticut State Parks and Forests system reached an estimated…