Governor Lamont urges booster shots for everyone
Is the time right for a cut in consumer taxes
CRMA working with NRF on federal vaccine info
News and notes from around the state
All our best to kick off the holiday season
- In advance of a formal notice from the FDA, Governor Lamont this week encouraged all residents who have already been vaccinated to go get a booster shoot as soon as they can.
- Although CT’s COVID numbers are good, they have been fluctuating over the last couple of months; so, having more residents getting booster shots, especially as we head into the holiday season, is a good thing.
- You can read more about Lamont’s thoughts on booster shots by going here, as well as CT’s current COVID booster numbers here.
Federal Vaccine update
- As we mentioned in previous FF, the Biden Administrations mandated vaccine or testing requirements for employers with over 100 employees has been stalled by the courts.
- While it continues to be litigated, CRMA is pleased to inform you that thanks to our friends at the National Retail Federation, we can provide members who request it, a complete compliance tool kit to help answer any questions you might have about the new requirements.
- We will post this kit, which will also include the necessary forms and guidance documents on how to stay in compliance with the new rules for members to use.
- Look for more information about the took kit on our website soon. Again, thanks to the NRF for their work in this area.
Is there a tax cut in our future?
- As we reported in last week’s FF, Connecticut’s budget, specifically our rainy-day fund and budget surplus, continue to grow – leading some high-ranking legislators to begin thinking about the possibility of cutting taxes in the next Legislative session that begins in February.
- In our final Live Broadcast earlier this month, the CRMA Legislator of the Year, Rep. Kerry Wood, talked about the possibility of a tax cut next session. You can go here to listen to those comments.
- Other legislators have spoken about as well including the House Chair of the Finance Committee, including Rep. Sean Scanlon (D–Guilford). CT Mirror has more on that, here.
- We think it’s time for consumers to get some relief and we think that it might be time to talk about cutting the sales tax rate or expanding the sales tax free week to include other items or increase the clothing exemption allowance.
- Or perhaps there is something else we haven’t thought of. So, we need your input.
- If you think it’s time for tax relief, in some form, please let us know by emailing CRMA President Tim Phelan, at tim@ctretailnetwork.com
News and notes from around the state
- Connecticut added 5,300 jobs in October, the fifth consecutive month of job gains, a possible sign that the state’s economic recovery from the pandemic may be stabilizing. Hartford Business Journal has the latest numbers here.
- Ned Lamont gets a 64% approval rating from the latest Morning Consult survey of the nation’s governors. That makes Lamont the most popular Democratic governor, but not the most popular governor. CTNewsJunkie has that story here.
- Fast-growing Stamford may be gaining a seventh state House seat, following approval by Connecticut’s bipartisan Reapportionment Commission of new district maps. Fairfield County Business Journal has the update here and CT Post here.
- All our best to you, as we are set to kick off the Holiday shopping season.
- With Thanksgiving upon us next week, we want to extend our best to all of you for a safe, healthy and prosperous holiday shopping season.
- CRMA is here if you need anything during the season, so please don’t hesitate to call or email us.
- We will be back with our next FF on December 3rd.