Further Criminalize the Homeless? No, Just Time to Act, Funding Secured for FAVARH

August 6, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

I don’t know about you, but it makes me sad that we are now in at least our third year where the smoke from wildfires in Canada is affecting our air quality. Here we have a beautiful weather week, but for many, it’s hard to sit outside because the air quality is diminished. When I walked out my front door yesterday, I immediately felt the smoke hit my eyes. Hopefully, we will be through the worst of it by later tomorrow, but stay tuned to our local weather forecasts to protect yourselves.
 
Senator Honig and I received excellent news at the end of last week. The bond commission approved our request for $2.5 million in bonding to construct the state’s first comprehensive Workforce Development & Independent Living Resource Center at FAVARH in Canton. We are truly grateful to the commission for helping get this project funding underway, and we look forward to the eventual groundbreaking.
 
It’s Farmers Market Week, and as a reminder, Collinsville has its amazing Farmer’s Market every Sunday from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. in the parking lot across from Lisa’s Crown and Hammer. We are lucky to have so many farms and farmstands near us to enjoy!
 
Please pay special attention to the section on e-bike safety. I recently found out that CCMC has been seeing a very high number of injuries related to e-bikes—namely, using a regular bike helmet versus a motorcycle helmet. After getting my bicycle helmet law passed up until age 18, we need to ensure that our children are safe.
 

Have a great week,

Eleni

Further Criminalize The Homeless? No, But It's Time to Act

We gathered at the Capitol on Monday to hold a press conference on the unlawful executive order from President Trump, further criminalizing the homeless.

As a reminder, fewer than 30% of the homeless in CT have mental health issues. People with mental health issues are many times more likely to be victims of violent crime than they are to perpetrate a crime.

Fewer than 30% of the homeless in CT have a substance abuse disorder, and they deserve treatment and not incarceration.
Photo credit: CT Mirror

The stories we heard from legislators and advocates illustrated that any of us could be one giant stack of medical bills . . . one significant job loss . . . one massive rent hike when you’re on a fixed income away from being without a home.

Does that sound like a reason to arrest someone? Because they don’t have a roof over their head? Because they are sleeping in their car? Because they pitched a tent in the woods?

We have truly lost our moral center if, at the same time, we are making the unhoused criminals, we are also taking away the money we need to address housing availability and affordability.

It’s time we go into special session: re-pass 5002; fully fund the cold weather response system at $5 million for FY ‘26; and come up with a plan to decriminalize the homeless (with the input of law enforcement) fully in Connecticut.

A good read on the topic in the CT Mirror is HERE.
 

Healthcare Superpower: Office of the Healthcare Advocate 

Often, the calls I receive most (after housing needs) are from people who are fighting with their insurance companies over procedures or billing.

We have a wonderful resource in the state of Connecticut called the Office of the Healthcare Advocate. Recently, they shared a video on how they can help you, and I thought it might be a good idea to get the word out. Don’t hesitate to reach out to me if you would like me to connect you with their offices. Please see the video below.
Welcome to the State of Connecticut Office of the Healthcare Advocate. Watch the short video to learn how we help Connecticut consumers navigate health insurance challenges. If you need help, contact us today
 

The Council of State Governments on One Big Beautiful Bill?

While you may have heard both good and bad about H.R. 1, a.k.a. the “one big beautiful bill,” I do my best to present to you non-partisan research that will aid you in better understanding what is in the bill that may impact you.

The Council of State Governments is the only non-partisan organization that serves all three branches of state government, and it provides policy briefings that are often a good way to break down complicated subjects.

Some of the highlights from their recent report on the OBBB include how the bill affects the fiscal landscape and tax policy, healthcare and Medicaid, energy and environmental policy, and immigration.

Click on the image below to read the report:
 

Helping to Alleviate Electric Bill Costs to Customers

Before the session ended, the House and Senate passed SB 4, an omnibus energy affordability bill, now Public Act 25-173.

The legislation was a collaborative effort with Governor Lamont, Democratic and Republican lawmakers, containing a number of actions to reduce electric bills. The legislation called for bond funding to help alleviate costs to customers.

Last Friday, the State Bond Commission took the final steps necessary to give residents some relief on their energy bills by approving $155 million in state bond funding to offset certain public benefits charges on electric bills, delivering consumers some relief on these costs.

 The bond commission released:

  • $125 million to be used to reduce the costs associated with hardship protection programs for low-income customers who are having difficulties paying for their electric bills
  • $30 million to be used to reduce the costs associated with the electric vehicle charging program that funds the infrastructure to integrate electric vehicles and related technologies into the electric grid.

The average customer savings are still being calculated; however, it is anticipated that customers will see a reduction of approximately $10 per month in the public benefits portion of their bills, depending on the utility, customer type, and usage. The reductions will likely take effect around September 2025 and continue into 2026.

Another round of state bond funding is expected to be released in 2026, which will enable a second round of reductions in public benefits charges to take effect after this initial round expires, enabling these savings to continue into 2027.

These savings come in addition to the 25% reduction in public benefits charges that the Public Utilities Regulatory Authority (PURA) approved in the May 2025 rate adjustment mechanism, as well as the 13% reduction in supply rates for Eversource customers and 14% reduction in supply rates for United Illuminating customers that went into effect on July 1.

As a reminder, you could still see increases to your bill if the cost of supply rises. That’s what started the big rise in bills we saw when Russia started the war with Ukraine. But, as we heard from many about the public benefits portion of the bill, that was what we focused on to alleviate the pressure many felt on their electric bills.
 

 Funds Secured for FAVARH

I was proud to have worked with State Senator Paul Honig on securing $2.5 million in funding for the Arc of the Farmington Valley, or FAVARH.

With these funds, the facility will enhance The Arc’s ability to provide job training and other essential services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities, helping them achieve greater independence.
 

E-bike, E-scooter Injuries Up in CT

Please click on the video below regarding e-bike and e-scooter injuries in Connecticut. Of note: In May and June, Connecticut Children's treated 24 kids in the emergency department due to e-bike injuries. They may be eco-friendly, cool, and fun, but e-bikes and e-scooters can be dangerous, too, if you're not careful.
 
 

Beginning Friday: Avon Lions Carnival 
 

National Farmers Market Week

Happy National Farmers Market Week!

Celebrate the benefits of shopping local:

  • Fresh & Flavorful – Straight from the farm to your table
  • Sustainable Choices – Support eco-friendly farming practices
  • Support Local – Keep money in your community
  • Meet Your Farmers – Know who grows your food
  • Get Inspired – Discover seasonal ingredients & new recipes

 
Shop local, eat fresh, and grow community! As you know, we have a gem in our area in the Canton Main Street Farmers Market, which runs through October. You can also find a list of Connecticut’s Farmers' Markets HERE.
 

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If you’re reading this, it’s because you are most likely already subscribed to my weekly e-news. One way you can help us get the word out about what is going on in District 17 is to forward this newsletter to your friends, or share this handy graphic with them so they can sign up on our website.

Thanks in advance!

Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative

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