State Representative Kai Belton

08/24/2026

I am deeply humbled and grateful to be nominated by Mental Health Connecticut for Mental Health America’s 2026 Legislative Champion Award.

This recognition means so much to me because mental health advocacy has never simply been a legislative issue, it has been part of my life’s work.

Long before I entered the legislature, I was a social worker working alongside individuals, families, and communities navigating trauma, mental health challenges, domestic violence, and systems that too often make it difficult for people to get the help they need.

Today, I have the privilege of bringing those experiences and those voices with me into the State Capitol.

I believe mental health care should be accessible, equitable, compassionate, and treated as an essential part of health care. Whether we are expanding access to treatment, addressing substance use disorders, supporting our behavioral health workforce, or breaking down the stigma that still keeps too many people from seeking help, there is so much more work to do.

Thank you to Mental Health Connecticut for this nomination and for your continued advocacy across our state. And thank you to the advocates, providers, families, and individuals who share their stories with us and push us to create better policy.

I am honored by this recognition, and even more committed to the work ahead. 💚

Mental health is health. And everyone deserves access to the care, dignity, and support they need to thrive.

08/19/2026

I am certainly proud of this score. This is the environment we're talking about, after all. Please click here https://www.ctlcv.org/scorecard.html?emci=80d8cd67-0291-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&emdi=7355f5ac-0991-f111-b337-000d3a1558ce&ceid=2261750 to see how I achieved my score, as well as how other state lawmakers fared.

08/14/2026

BLACK BUSINESS WEEK SPOTLIGHT!

Carrot Top’s Sweet Potato Treats

CTSPT is a retail and wholesale startup bakery that specializes in sweet potato based baked goods.

08/11/2026

The 2026 Connecticut Sales Tax Free Week begins Sunday through Saturday, August 22nd.

This week provides a chance for families to save money, whether it is taking children back-to-school shopping or treating yourself or your loved ones.

During this week, sales or purchases of certain clothing or footwear items costing less than $300 per item are exempt from sales tax.

This exemption applies to purchases made from retailers located in Connecticut as well as from online retailers.

There are, however, certain items that are excluded from the scope of the Sales Tax-Free Week exemption. The following items are excluded from the scope of the Sales Tax-Free Week exemption:

• Any special clothing or footwear primarily designed for athletic activity or protective use that is not normally worn except when used for the athletic activity or protective use for which it was designed; and
• Jewelry, handbags, luggage, umbrellas, wallets, watches, and similar items carried on or about the human body but not worn on the body in the manner characteristic of clothing.

Please click HERE https://portal.ct.gov/drs/sales-tax/examples-of-clothing-and-footwear-that-are-exempt-during-sales-tax-free-week for a list of items that are exempt from sales tax and a list of items still taxable

This legislative session, we passed a state budget to expand eligibility during Sales Tax-Free Week, making this the first year Sales Tax-Free Week includes items such as clothing, shoes, and backpacks priced under $300, up from $100 in previous years.

Click here https://portal.ct.gov/drs/sales-tax/sales-tax-free-week for more information on Connecticut’s Sales Tax-Free Week and frequently asked questions.

07/23/2026

Today I stood alongside tenants calling for safe, dignified housing and accountability. I also had the privilege of spending time with young people leading an exciting research project on menopause, challenging stigma, asking important questions, and helping shape the future of women’s health policy.

Different issues. Same mission.

Listening to communities, elevating voices, and working toward policies that improve people’s lives.

07/20/2026

The Connecticut Education Association (CEA) Report Card system evaluates legislators’ voting records, advocacy, and efforts to advance CEA priorities.

These priorities include enhancing the teaching profession, protecting pensions and benefits, preserving collective bargaining, and supporting sound education policy that enhances public education. Please click here https://cea.org/voting-record/?bio_id=100 to see how I achieved my score and here https://cea.org/legislator-report-card/ to see how my colleagues fared.

07/13/2026

Some of the CT legislation include a menopause provider toolkit, research funding for endometriosis and coverage for IUDs.

06/18/2026

OK!

06/17/2026

Middletown’s Juneteenth Liberation Day Festival will return to Harbor Park on Friday for the sixth year, with organizers emphasizing the significance of the waterfront location.