The one-week event eliminates Connecticut’s 6 percent sales tax on all clothing and footwear costing less than $300 per item from the third Sunday in August through the following Saturday. The increased exemption replaces the standard $50 exemption for clothing and footwear.

Since sales tax is calculated after the use of any coupons or discounts, if the final price is less than $300, the sale is exempt from taxes. Clothing or footwear under $300 either rented or put on layaway is also tax-free. Purchases totaling more than $300 will have sales tax calculated on the full cost.

For more information, visit the Department of Revenue Services website at www.ct.gov/drs.

State Representative Rep. David Labriola joined colleagues Arthur O’Neill (R-Southbury), Sen. Rob Kane and Rep. Tony D’Amelio in welcoming the Pomperaug High School Boy’s Dive and Swim Team to the State Capitol on Tuesday, May 4th.  The Pomperaug High School Boys Swim and Dive Team having won the Southwest Conference Championship, the State Class L Championship, and the State Open Championship for the 2010 season.

The team, lead by head coach Fran Pentino and assistant coaches Russ Davey and Jen Gowen, is undefeated in dual meet competition for the last four years over fifty-six meets

Please click this link to read my Common Sense Commitment to Connecticut.

Watch a video clip here.

State Representatives David Labriola (R-131) and Rosa C. Rebimbas (R-70) were on hand Tuesday evening, November 17, 2009, to congratulate Robert Genovese of Naugatuck as he was inducted in the Connecticut Veterans Hall of Fame.  The ceremony, held at the Legislative Office Building in Hartford, honors the newest round of veterans who have made tremendous contributions to the state through their military service and public service.

Genovese served in Vietnam in the U.S. Air Force. He is co-founder of the “Veterans Who Care Committee,” which for over 20 years raised funds for children of Vietnam veterans born with birth defects due to the effects of exposure to Agent Orange. The organization also offered emergency financial assistance to veterans in need while awaiting permanent benefits. He is past commander of VFW Post #1946; past commander, Union City Chapter #11 Disabled American Veterans; and organizer of POW/MIA remembrance vigils in Naugatuck. He was Honorary Grand Marshall of the 2008 Connecticut Veterans Day Parade.

As a consultant on the Connecticut production of the movie “Jackknife” starring Robert DeNiro and Ed Harris, Mr. Genovese was instrumental in assuring that returning Vietnam veterans were protrayed accurately. A former accredited veterans service officer/counselor with the Connecticut Department of Veterans’ Affairs, he also serves on the Board of Directors of the Vietnam Veterans Agent Orange Victims, Inc., and is a member of AMVETS, Catholic War Veterans Post #708, American Legion Post #17, Italian-American War Veterans Post #8 and Veterans of the Vietnam War. A long-time member of the Naugatuck Elks Lodge #967, he was named Volunteer of the Year 1998-99 and is a member of the Elks National Service Commission. He also is a member of the Knights of Columbus Ojeda Council #33 and St. Hedwig Roman Catholic Church.

Pictures:   Above: L-R Rep. Rosa C. Rebimbas, Veterans Affaris Commissioner Linda Schwartz, Bob Genovese, Governor M. jodi Rell and Rep. David Labriola.  Below: Bob Genovese receives his medal from Governor Rell and Commissioner Schwartz during the induction.

The new area code of 475 will be added into the calling area of the current 203 area code as 203 numbers run out. Eventually when numbers run out in the 860 area code, new numbers will have the 959 area code.

Adding new area codes to an already small state would be burdensome, and also place heavy associated costs on businesses in the state by forcing them to change their phone numbers. An “overlay” was implemented instead which would allow new area codes within the existing territory, but this requires the mandatory 10-digit dialing for local calls to be implemented.

Approximately 40% of the state’s telephone lines currently require 10-digit dialing for local calls between the 203 and 860 area codes, but with more area codes about to be implemented, the need for 10-digit dialing for all local calls is necessary.

TEN-DIGIT DIALING FOR LOCAL CALLS REQUIRES THE USE OF THE AREA CODE BEFORE THE TELEPHONE NUMBER.
Callers will continue to dial 1 for toll calls only. No calling areas, rates or charges are affected by this change.

 

Photo by Voices, 2009

Rep. Labriola (R-131) was on hand for the dedication of the realigned Schrieber’s Corner on Route 188 in Oxford recently.  Read the article from Voices newspaper below:

the successful and long-awaited completion of the road realignment at Schreiber’s Corner on Route 188.

 The sharp corner was the site of numerous accidents over the years, including fatalities, the latest in June, 2006.

The realignment project included softening the corner, widening the road, altering the pitch of the road, relocating utilities, providing drainage and installing guard rails.

About 1,000 feet of road was repaved.

To attain its objectives, the DOT negotiated easements from the Schreiber family.

First Selectman Mary Ann Drayton-Rogers, standing with a pair of ribbon-cutting scissors on the newly paved driveway to the residence of former First Selectman Paul Schreiber, said it was only fitting that the current first selectman and Eric Schreiber, Mr. Schreiber’s son, share in the ceremony.

Paul Schreiber, under whose administration the project was launched, had another commitment and was unable to attend.

Mrs. Drayton-Rogers noted that the project was performed by Dayton Construction of Watertown, which submitted a bid of $638,000.

State Representatives David Labriola (R-131) and Rosa C. Rebimbas (R-70) joined Naugatuck Mayor Bob Mezzo and other area mayors and officials for a tour of the Coca-Cola distribution facility on Rado Drive in Naugatuck Thursday.

The Representatives toured the 70,000 square foot facility to see how Coca-Cola is implementing changes to lower energy and water consumption, reduce their packaging waste, and continue to service the Route 8 corridor in the most efficient way possible.

“This facility is important not only to Naugatuck but also the surrounding community by supporting 173 workers and their families and distributing more than 360 products,” Rep. Rebimbas said. “Coca-Cola continues to be a leader by adapting to a changing marketplace by reinforcing their efforts to reduce waste without sacrificing service to the community.”

“I’d like to thank sales center manager Alan Roth for inviting us here to see firsthand how Coca-Cola is making changes to be a better environmental neighbor,” Rep. Labriola said.  “They have added new shelving systems, low energy use fluorescent lighting and have made reductions in water usage which directly benefits our community.”

Coca-Cola has 92,400 worldwide employees and distributes more than 3,000 products in over 200 countries.