Retailers Name State Rep. Kerry Wood as Legislator of the Year

The Connecticut Retail Merchants Association (CRMA), the statewide association dedicated to serving, advocating and promoting Connecticut’s retail industry, is honoring State Representative Kerry Wood as 2021 Legislator of the Year. Wood represents the 29th House District, which includes Newington, Rocky Hill and Wethersfield.

“Rep. Wood consistently demonstrates responsiveness to her constituents and the retail business community in her district and our state,” said Tim Phelan, president of CRMA. “Her determination to do what’s right, along with her willingness to listen and to lead, have earned her this distinction.”

Rep. Wood is the House Chair of the legislature’s Insurance and Real Estate Committee, and she is a member of the Finance Committee, where her efforts as a moderate leader attuned to the concerns and interests of the retail industry and the general business community resulted in a no tax increase budget, understanding that businesses were hurting from the pandemic. She also serves on the legislature’s Commerce Committee, and during the 2021 session her efforts were key to blocking a proposed digital advertising tax, which would have adversely impacted retailers and their customers.

The Retailer of the Year award will be presented during a virtual event for the Connecticut retail industry, to be held on November 10, the next in a CRMA series of monthly Live Broadcasts for retail members focusing on various timely issues in the retail industry. Reservations by Connecticut retailers can be made on the CRMA website at www.crmaonline.com.

“I am grateful to receive this designation from CRMA. It was a pleasure to work with Connecticut retailers during this past session. I made it a priority to focus on an Angel Investor tax credit program, streamlining our cumbersome Transfer Act, and preventing unnecessary taxation on business services. There’s so much more that we can do when we listen and work with industry. I look forward to doing more great work with CRMA in our upcoming session.”

“There’s no question that Rep. Wood is highly regarded by her colleagues, for the careful attention she pays to her constituents and the issues that impact residents and businesses throughout the state,” said CRMA Board Chair Abby Jewett. “She is a legislator with a well-deserved bright future, and an asset to policy making in our state. We’re pleased to present her with the CRMA 2021 Legislator of the Year Award.”

CRMA is a trade association whose mission is to represent the interests of retailers and serve as a vital link between those retailers and state and governmental agencies. The association’s members include more than 2,000 stores throughout the state, including some of the world's largest retailers as well as the state's main street merchants.

To learn more about CRMA, visit www.crmaonline.com or call 860-527-1044.