Eleni Kavros DeGraw

This week, we were in session yesterday and today and will be in session tomorrow. Today, the House passed the Paid Sick Leave bill that has been worked on and compromised over for the last few years. Workers will have to earn their sick days based on how long they work for their employer. More details to come, but I wanted to make sure to mention it.

As you may have heard, there was a terrible fire in Avon Place last night (apartment complex near the Reggio Magnet School). Thankfully, because of the quick actions of the Avon Volunteer Fire Department, none of the residents were hurt. Unfortunately, at least one firefighter was injured in the line of duty and I wish them a speedy recovery at the same time I am grateful for their heroism.

I’m thrilled we were back in session today and we will be again tomorrow. It’s the time of the year when we finally arrive at the floor debate portion for the bills that have made it out of committee and, now, the larger bodies of the House and Senate can speak for or against the legislation before voting. In other words, we are staying busy!

I hope you enjoyed the magic and the wonder of the eclipse on Monday whether you were in your own backyard or at a local watch party. While we may not have been in the path of totality, we certainly saw quite an astronomical show.

The state is reminding all drivers that when they get behind the wheel, Put the Phone Away or Pay. It’s a campaign for National Distracted Driving Awareness Month in April. Please be mindful, that law enforcement will be stepping up its enforcement of distracted-driving laws through April 30.

Slowly but surely, we are heading to the part of session where we will be in session more days than we are not. I think it’s the best time of session when the building is alive with energy and we are all steadily working to get bills across the finish line.

As you may know, Representative Tammy Exum, who represents around one-third of Avon and another portion of West Hartford, lost her beloved husband, Earl Exum, last October. He died from a very specific heart attack, nicknamed the “widow maker.”

We are almost halfway through this short session. What does that mean? Public hearings are coming to an end. Committee meetings will soon wrap up voting their legislation out of committee to potentially end up on the floor of the House or the Senate. And, we will be in session more frequently (though, never frequently enough for me. More bills!).