Cathy Osten Update:
Summer Farmers' Markets | Staying in Connecticut!
Dear Friends,
Summer means farmers' markets, and my weekly schedule includes trips to two: in Lisbon at Lisbon Meadow Park on Route 169, and at Lebanon Town Hall. Farmers' markets are a great way to meet new friends and get outside while purchasing healthy, local produce, meats and crafts that support our farmers and the local economy. For a list by town of the 100 farmers' markets across out state, please visit: https://portal.ct.gov/-/media/DOAG/ADaRC/Farmers-Markets/2023/2023-CT-Farmers-Markets.pdf
Meanwhile, here are a few other news items I thought you would find of interest!
Cathy
SNAP at Farmers’ Markets
Farmers’ markets and farms throughout Connecticut can now Connecticut can now accept SNAP and EBT program benefits, allowing residents to buy locally grown fruits and vegetables quickly and freshly. Anyone interested can simply bring their benefit cards to a table at a market with a sign saying “SNAP/EBT accepted here,” where the card will be swiped and the holder will be given tokens that can be used at all stands at that market. In many cases, the value of the tokens will be double the value charged to your card! Click here for information on participating markets.
Staying in Connecticut!
According to recent Census Bureau data, Connecticut, and New England, have outpaced Florida for gains in residents in retirement age, between 65 and 84. In the last 12 months, the state saw a 3.44% increase in population in that age range, the most active window for retirement, above the 3.37% gain seen in Florida.
This comes with changing statewide demographics; about 16% of the state is now in that age range and the median age of a Connecticut resident has increased slightly to 40.9. This shift comes as Connecticut continues to make changes intended to support seniors, including tax cuts on pension revenue and increased access to adult day centers, and indicates a need to remain focused on residents’ needs.
Connecticut Expects Surplus Of $745.9 Million; $2.1 Billion Expected To Pay Down Debt
In State Comptroller Sean Scanlon’s monthly financial and economic update, he projected a surplus of $745.9 million for the state’s General Fund and a $260.2 million surplus for the Special Transportation Fund. The surplus amounts have decreased from past expectations, largely due to the state budget and its related income tax cuts increasing state expenditures by a projected $530 million, but still place the state in strong fiscal position. This was the fifth-straight fiscal year where Connecticut saw a surplus. Related to this, approximately $2.1 billion will be available to reduce unfunded pension liabilities for the State Employee Retirement System and Teachers’ Retirement System, Scanlon added – this will likely lead to statewide savings of hundreds of millions per year in future payments.
Senate Priority Bill, Banning Utilities From Billing Customers For Lobbying, Becomes Law
Connecticut’s recently-passed Senate Bill 7 will take action to protect Connecticut ratepayers, including prohibiting utilities from charging customers for lobbying expenses and other efforts to sway political outcomes. Connecticut becomes the third state to put such a policy in place after Colorado and Maine. This law will ban utilities from charging customers for trade association dues, public relations expenses and consultant and lawyer’s fees. To read more about the efforts to fight back for consumers’ benefit, please click here.
Gas Prices Down 25 Percent Year-Over-Year
If you drove during the recent holiday weekend, you likely noticed your gas expenses were lower than they were last year. That’s because gas prices, at an average of $3.63 per gallon for regular, are down about 25 percent from July 2022, when costs were $4.77 per gallon. Diesel drivers are especially enjoying a cost reduction, as prices are down about 33% in the last year, from $6.01 per gallon to $4.07 per gallon. For more information, see AAA’s latest updates here.
CT Summer Meals – Free Meals For Children
CT Summer Meals, a federally funded program administered by the state Department of Education, provides no-cost breakfasts, lunches, dinners and snacks to children 18 years and younger. There will be more than 400 distribution sites this summer across the state for children to receive important nutrition. The program will run through late August. Click here for a map of locations around the state.
Electric Rates Falling In Connecticut
With the start of July, electric rates in Connecticut are falling, and CT Insider has created a calculator for individual residents to find exactly how much they’ll save. On average, Eversource customers should see bills drop by about 22%, with United Illuminating customers seeing a price break of about half that amount. You can click here to use the calculator and see how your electric costs will change.