Eleni Kavros DeGraw

A Visit With Hartford Communities That Care, Celebrating Greek Independence Day

View this email in your browser Dear Neighbor, You may have heard about federal cuts to funding that are beginning to affect our state. We don’t yet know all of the cuts and what that will mean to our overall budget but some examples I want to make you aware of relate to Connecticut Foodshare. As of early yesterday, they had two pallets of food that is part of the Emergency Food Assistance Program (TEFAP), and at the end of yesterday, that went up to 32 pallets of food. To give you a sense of what that amount means, it’s 1.4 million pounds of food and would cost them (even with their purchasing power because of quantity) $1.75 million to purchase. This food program is part of the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). That food ends up in partner pantries all over the state, where working families and seniors get food.   While I have a bill that would put $10 million into the CT Nutrition Assistance Program (CT-NAP; 15% of which would go to farmers), if cuts like this keep happening perhaps via the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program or the Women, Infants and Children program, we won’t be able to provide enough state funding to mitigate these cuts. If you recall, our farmers already lost over $1 million because the USDA will no longer run the Local Food Purchase Assistance Cooperative Agreement Program that provided fresh produce to schools.   More cuts are coming in other federal departments and that could be as soon as today . . . and we have to meet the moment as best we can. These conversations are ongoing across committees but especially in the Appropriations Committee and on the Conservation and Development Subcommittee of Appropriations that I am co-chairing with Senator Joan Hartley (Waterbury). As we receive over $14.6 billion in federal dollars toward our state budget, we have to be preparing as best we can for losses. Waiting for them to happen and then responding will in many cases be past when we can save programs and funding.   I will continue to share information as I receive it. Otherwise, you’ll see the typical items I share week to week. Our committees are nearly at the end of the committee process, we will have more session days coming soon, and there is still time to lobby for or against the bills that matter to you. You can follow along HERE.    Looking forward to hearing from you.  Have a great week, Eleni   A Visit with Hartford Communities That Care Yesterday morning, I had the privilege of visiting the organization Hartford Communities That Care, Inc. (HCTC). They work to create safe and more resilient communities in greater Hartford, including a Youth Leadership Academy for middle and high school students, their Hartford Care Response Team that helps prevent and address community gun violence, and a workforce and career readiness center, among other programs. It was incredible to hear the many people they support and how life-changing their work is. Thanks to Johanna Schubert for inviting me! Celebrating Greek Independence Day @ The Capitol It was a beautiful day yesterday to attend the annual Greek Independence Day celebration. Organized by Professor Ilias Tomazos of the University of Connecticut, this annual event is a chance to celebrate the contributions of Greeks to freedom everywhere and to acknowledge the connection between our independence in 1776 and their freedom in 1821 after 400 years of oppression under the Ottoman Empire.  Thank you to the many people who attended and especially the youth participants. The Greek American caucus grew to six this year! Small Business Lending Expo @ CCSU on Thursday For small businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and existing small businesses - this one is for you!  Public Information Meeting on Route 10 Bridge Replacement is Monday The CTDOT is hosting a virtual public information meeting on Monday at 7 p.m. to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments or ask questions regarding the replacement of the bridge on Route 10 in Avon. Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2027. The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $3.2 million, with 80% federal funds and 20% state funds.  The meeting will take place on Zoom, and registration is required. A question and answer (Q&A) session will immediately follow the presentation, which will be recorded. For instructions on accessing the meeting and ways to provide comments and ask questions, please click HERE. This meeting will also be live-streamed at CTDOT YouTube channel; no registration is required. Non-English language closed captioning will be available on Zoom and YouTube. The recording will also be posted immediately following the meeting in the list of CTDOT virtual public meetings HERE. Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please submit comments and questions by Monday, April 14, 2025, to DOTProject0004-0136@ct.gov. Please reference Project No. 0004-0136. SLR Program Info Session Stops @ Central on Tuesday Reminder: Logo Needed for Avon's America 250 Reminder: 2nd Annual Climate Change Student Poster Contest  With Connecticut becoming one of the first states in the nation to require Climate Change studies in grades 5-12, the Climate Change Student Poster Contest is a great way for our students to stay engaged in environmental issues and raise awareness! Your child is invited to create a poster highlighting the importance of protecting the environment and the role each of us plays in reducing climate change. Submissions will be accepted through May 1st. Judging will take place at the Capitol on May 28th. Submissions will be accepted through May 1st. Click HERE for more contest details and a submission form. Celebrating Women's History Month Actually, every month is Women's History Month on the Connecticut Women’s Heritage Trail, which includes 14 historic sites, each with its own stories of women who defied expectations, broke barriers, and shaped our state. Today is Epilepsy Awareness Day Connecticut House Democrats are committed to raising awareness, supporting those affected, and advancing vital legislation for better care and resources. Together, we continue to shine a light on epilepsy. 💜 Visit the Epilepsy Foundation of Connecticut for valuable resources, support, and ways to get involved HERE. Sincerely, Eleni Kavros DeGraw State Representative Website Email Facebook Forward to a friend | Unsubscribe from this list | Update subscription preferences