Priority Bills for 2025, Addressing Work Live Ride Misinformation

February 5, 2025


 
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Dear Neighbor,

Today we heard Governor Lamont’s vision of the budget in our joint session. He highlighted his priorities and now it will be time for the legislature to move forward with our priorities. We did hear a lot of things that I think we will find agreement on: tax relief, more money for education and special education, and working with our business community to help them thrive.
 
I also had the opportunity to start my day in district at the Northstars Sportsplex in Canton with Lieutenant Governor Susan Bysiewicz as we celebrated National Women and Girls in Sports Day. It was a great chance to remind people that one of the best ways to support girls' opportunities in sports is to ensure that they have facilities and fields that are as good as the ones that our boy athletes have access to in municipalities across Connecticut.
 
This Friday, is Wear Red for Women Day, and the Bipartisan Women’s Caucus is collecting donations for the American Heart Association. Don’t forget to ask your doctor if you need a cardiac calcium scan. It’s a simple test that most insurances cover and it could save your life. Plus, it only takes three minutes and is non-invasive.
 
You’ll see the link to take my legislative survey at the end. Please consider taking it.

Have a great week,


Eleni 
 
Our Priority Bills for 2025
 
During the 2025 session, House Democrats’ legislative priorities will focus on:
  • ️Special Education Relief
  • ️More Housing, Reduced Homelessness
  • ️Affordable Childcare
  • ️Protecting Our Environment

These priorities reflect our recognition that special education is the biggest budget wildcard for municipalities, increased housing and decreased homelessness are critical to the state's future economic health, rising costs and a reduced workforce are making childcare hard to obtain for many families, and protecting our environment has never been more critical.
 
CT Expands Access to Contraception
The training program, developed by the University of Connecticut School of Pharmacy, received final approval this week from the Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection. The continuing education program is expected to take four hours to complete and is optional for all pharmacists. There are 671 licensed pharmacies and more than 6,500 licensed pharmacists in the state who are eligible to complete the course and begin offering this service.
 
In addition, the state’s first vending machines providing access to emergency contraception and other over-the-counter medications are also now available in Connecticut.
 
Work Live Ride: Addressing Misinformation 
Monday, the Planning and Development Committee hosted a 13-hour public hearing. While we had 15 bills on our agenda, the overwhelming majority of the testimony was on the Transit Oriented Development bill and the bill to give municipalities the option of prohibiting pet stores from selling cats, dogs, and rabbits.
 
Always grateful to hear from the public about how they feel about bills, but unfortunately, there was significant misinformation sent out ahead of the meeting about the transit-oriented development bill. In some cases, people based their testimony on older versions of the bill as opposed to the amended version of the bill we passed through the House last year with 90 votes. 

That bill unfortunately did not pass the senate, not because it didn’t have the votes, but because in the short session, we ran out of time. Please click on the video below to hear my comments.
 
You can read more about the hearing HERE and HERE. I look forward to more discussion in all of the committee public hearings as the session continues.
 
School Meals? Yes, They're Essential
Call me radical, but I believe every child deserves a full stomach and a fair shot at success.
 
For children in poverty, school meals may be the only nutritious food they eat each day. I am proud to fight for equal access to nutrition, a more inclusive and dignified environment for kids, and for easing the financial strain on Connecticut families so they can allocate resources to other needs like housing, healthcare, or education.
 
Don’t miss the Committee on Children’s public hearing this Thursday addressing SB 1217: An Act Providing School Meals to All Students. You can tune in live on YouTube at 1 p.m. by clicking on the image below.
 
Special Education Tour Underway
The new Special Education Committee has begun a listening tour across the state, which will help inform the public of its work this session. Please note: The Hartford session will have a Zoom option available.
 
Girls & Women in Sports Day
Photo credit: John Fitts
It was a great day to celebrate women and girls in sports at the Northstars Sportsplex in Canton. Joined by current and former women and girl athletes, we discussed the importance of sports for women to become leaders and for their long-term health. We also talked about the critical importance of safety and fairness for girls' sports to have equal facilities and fields across Connecticut.

You may recall a few years ago during the NCAA tournament when one of the women’s basketball teams shared what their gym looked like compared to the gym for the men's teams. Funding is a critical part of the solution which was why I was proud to get money last year for the soon-to-be-developed Avon softball field.
How can you support girls and women’s sports? Attend meetings in your community when funding is on the line for girls sports programs. Throw a party not just to watch the Super Bowl, but also for Women’s soccer and Women’s basketball. Encourage the young women in your life to play sports. Submit testimony when you see bills at the state level that will improve girls sports.
 
Reminder: Apply Now For Women-Owned and Child Care Business Grants
Women-owned and childcare businesses across Connecticut have an exciting opportunity to secure funding to support and grow their companies. The Women’s Business Development Council is now accepting applications for two grant programs designed to help businesses at various stages of development.
The Ignite Grant Program offers grants of up to $10,000 for local women-owned businesses. To qualify, a business must:
  • Be in operation for at least two years
  • Have annual revenues between $25,000 and $2 million.

The application deadline is open through Monday, March 10. Learn more about the Ignite Grant RIGHT HERE.   
The Child Care Business Opportunity Fund provides grants of up to $25,000 to licensed and aspiring child care businesses. The program supports businesses at different stages, from start-ups to those looking to expand. You can apply now through Monday, March 3. CLICK HERE for more details.

Live information sessions are available throughout the application period. These sessions will cover grant requirements and provide an opportunity to ask questions. Register for an information session

HERE. 

Don’t miss out on these valuable opportunities by applying today!
 
Operation Fuel: Financial Assistance Available
Operation Fuel's Energy Assistance Program opened this week, which means eligible Connecticut residents will be able to apply for assistance with gas, electric, oil, or other deliverable fuels.  Click Here for more information including details on eligibility requirements and application materials.
 
Car Insurance Discount For Seniors 
Affordable car insurance is a necessity for people of all ages, but it holds particular significance for individuals who are 60 and older. Because this demographic often faces unique challenges and mobility needs, ensuring access to reasonably priced car insurance is vital.
 

Driving is often key to maintaining independence, especially in areas where public transportation is unreliable. For older adults, a car often represents a lifeline to healthcare appointments, grocery stores, social engagements, and visits with loved ones. Ensuring affordable car insurance allows seniors to remain active in their communities.

Many people aged 60 and older live on fixed incomes, and rising insurance premiums can strain their budgets. Locking into an affordable insurance rate would provide financial stability for seniors.
 
By prioritizing and offering car insurance affordability, we can create a more inclusive society that values the mobility and independence of all its members, regardless of age.
 
Reminder: Take My Survey
 
Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative
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