Eleni Kavros DeGraw

Dear Neighbor,

It may be the dog days of summer, but we still have plenty of legislative work happening.

You may remember that I worked on HB5004 regarding our Department of Children and Families this year. While I will sadly miss the bill signing tomorrow morning, I am part of the working group putting together the public-facing dashboard that will provide relevant and timely disaggregated data on the work done by DCF. It’s the beginning of much more work ahead, and I’m grateful I get to help shape the interface. 
 
The “diarrhea lettuce” has been all over the news, and yes, we have cases in Connecticut. While we are sharing more information on the topic this week, it’s a great reminder to shop small and local and get your greens and berries from a local farm stand or Farmer’s Market. Our state Department of Agriculture and our farmers do a wonderful job ensuring that our food is safe.  
 
Check out one of Canton’s ongoing America 250 events happening tomorrow night and hosted by the Canton Library in the Community Room. It’s Revolutionary! 
 
Wishing you a great week, 
 
Eleni

Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative
 

One of the best choices you can make is shopping local. CT farms and farmers’ markets offer fruits and vegetables grown and handled by farmers who take pride in feeding their families and their community.

DPH also encourages residents to follow simple steps at home to reduce potential risk:

• Wash all fresh produce under clean running water before eating, even if you plan to peel it.
• Choose whole heads of lettuce instead of pre-washed bagged salad mixes. Remove and discard the outer two to three layers of leaves and wash the inner leaves under running water.
• Wash cilantro, basil, and green onions thoroughly under running water, separating leaves. These items are safest when cooked.
• Cook produce when possible. Heating food to 158°F (70°C) or higher kills Cyclospora.
• Wash hands with soap and water before eating, and clean kitchen surfaces and cutting boards before and after preparing food.

 For more information on Cyclospora, visit the FDA webpage.

Basic eligibility for whole blood donation:

• Donation frequency: Every 56 days, up to 6 times a year
• You must be in good health and feeling well
• You must be at least 16 years old in most states
• You must weigh at least 110 lbs.

Basic eligibility for platelet donation: 

• Donation frequency: Every 7 days, up to 24 times/year
• You must be in good health and feeling well
• You must be at least 17 years old in most states 
• You must weigh at least 110 lbs. 

There are also options to donate Power Red and plasma (eligibility can be found here.

Find a blood drive near you here: 

Governor Ned Lamont recently signed Public Act 26-127, expanding access to affordable solar energy and battery storage for Connecticut homeowners, renters, and businesses while prioritizing relief for customers facing high energy costs.

The law extends the state's residential, commercial, and community solar programs through 2027, ensuring continued support for clean energy as electricity demand grows.

It also encourages responsible solar development by prioritizing projects on rooftops, brownfields, municipal and state buildings, and other developed commercial properties.

The law also extends and modifies the state's solar energy programs to cost-effectively deploy solar systems that pair solar and battery storage, allow for plug-in solar systems, and reduce red tape and costs related to solar permitting.

The law aims to ensure that solar energy benefits both the person who installs it on their roof and all ratepayers by providing more clean energy and reducing the costs associated with the transmission and distribution of electricity.

The law also includes permitting reform and authorizes plug-in solar systems, which are smaller systems that can be bought off the shelf and installed relatively easily without permission from the electric utility.

These systems are popular with renters and homeowners in Europe because they cost less and can be placed on a balcony or in a backyard. By creating a legal framework for plug-in solar, the law aims to extend the benefits of clean energy to more residents who have not benefited from it historically.

Additionally, the legislation directs more benefits to customers and communities with higher energy burdens, supports battery storage to improve grid reliability, streamlines residential solar permitting, and requires the Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) to limit public benefits charges and ensure the law reduces costs for ratepayers overall.

I am proud to have supported this legislation that will continue to move the State of Connecticut forward on affordable, accessible energy.