Eleni Kavros DeGraw

While it certainly isn't feeling all the wintery (thanks, climate crisis), winter officially began yesterday morning and we just passed the longest day of the year.

This weekend, many of us will be celebrating Christmas, hopefully with family and friends. While my family is vaccinated and boosted where applicable, we are following the advice we've all probably seen this week—testing before we will see each other—in the hopes that we can spend our holidays together and well!

You'll see there is a lot of news to share once again this week even if many people are taking time off to relax and recharge before the New Year. To that end, this will be my last update of 2021—with the hope that you will take the time you would normally read this update to do something you love.

Wishing all who are celebrating a very Merry Christmas and to all my friends and neighbors, a very Happy New Year!

Sycamore Hills Funding Approved

I'm pleased to announce funding was approved for work to be done at Sycamore Hills! Please see the press release below.

STATE REPRESENTATIVES KAVROS DEGRAW, EXUM LAUD FUNDING FOR SYCAMORE HILLS TO BECOME ADA COMPLIANT, IMPROVEMENTS TO PLAYSCAPE

State Representatives Eleni Kavros DeGraw (D-Avon/Canton) and Tammy Exum (D-West Hartford/Avon/Farmington) are applauding a $60,000 grant-in-aid for reconstruction of the Sycamore Hills Playground to make it compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, including playscape improvements. (See Item #53)

The funding was approved today at a special meeting of the State Bond Commission, of which Governor Ned Lamont is chairman.

“I would like to thank Governor Ned Lamont, Bonding Chair Dorinda Borer, and Speaker of the House Matt Ritter for ensuring Avon was on the agenda for this playground," State Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw said. "I’m also pleased to have worked with my colleague, State Representative Tammy Exum to secure the funds because when we talk about equity for our communities, that must include equity for people with disabilities, children and adults.”

"Sycamore Hills is a place where our community has gone to gather, play, and relax for years. These funds will ensure that generations of kids and families will have the opportunity to access and enjoy everything Sycamore Hills has to offer," said Rep. Exum. "I thank the State Bond Commission, Bonding Chair Borer, and Governor Lamont for making this a priority."

Sycamore Hills is 33 acres of open land that includes a park and basketball court open year-round and a sand volleyball court, pavilion and outdoor pool open on a seasonal basis. Sycamore Hills also includes a Senior Center/Community Room.

Sycamore Hills Recreation Areas (Avon Recreation and Parks Department)

$77 Million in Bond Commission Funding Approved for DEEP-Related Initiatives

The Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) also received more than $77 million from the State Bond Commission Tuesday to fund several key environmental initiatives integral to protecting human health and the environment, as well as energy efficient improvements to state buildings, including:

• $60 million for the Clean Water Fund, which assists municipalities in planning, design and construction of wastewater projects to protect human health and the environment.
• $14 million for energy efficient upgrades in 11 state buildings under the state’s “Lead By Example” initiative.
• $2.5 million for state share of Superfund cleanup at Raymark Federal Superfund site in Stratford.
• $1.15 million for ongoing efforts to protect state residents and the environment from the effects of PFAS as directed by Gov. Lamont’s PFAS Action Plan.

For more details please click on the press release below:

Taking Strong Action on Climate Change

The urgency of doing everything we can to protect our fragile environment is profound. We are seeing climate change's devastating effects all across our state, nation, and world, so we owe it to ourselves and future generations to take meaningful action now.

That is why Connecticut, under a new executive order, is taking 23 specific steps to reduce our carbon footprint, protect our natural resources, and increase our reliance on affordable clean energy in ways which promote equity, justice, and health.

While Connecticut is seen as a national leader in enacting climate change and environmental protection legislation, these new actions will only further solidify our state's resolve to do our part in addressing this urgent crisis.

Click the button below to read a summary of the climate change actions to be implemented in the new executive order.

EXECUTIVE ORDER NO. 21-3 ON CLIMATE

How to Stop Languishing and Finding Flow - Adam Grant

It's tough to stay motivated in an ongoing pandemic. And as Adam Grant says in his Ted Talk (paraphrasing), it's tough to move forward if you don't know where forward is. His talk on languishing has gone viral and for those feeling not quite where they want to be, it may give you insight into moving through where you find yourself. Please see the video below.

Stay Safe This Holiday Season!

Please stay safe this holiday season. Please read the CDC safety guidelines below before you travel for the holidays!

Optional Digital Vaccine Card

You now have the option to have a digital copy of your vaccination card in your smartphone. I went through the steps yesterday and it was very easy to add the information safely and securely into my phone. While this is optional, for those who choose to avail themselves of this resource, it certainly solves the issue of the oversized paper card we received that doesn’t easily fit in a wallet.

From Governor Lamont’s recent press release, “The governor stressed that the choice to load digital vaccination cards onto smartphones is strictly optional. Those who do not have smartphones or do not want to digitize their vaccination records can continue using the paper cards they received upon being vaccinated as they have been doing over the last year.

Instructions for how to load the digital cards, also known as “SMART Health Cards,” onto smartphones can be obtained by clicking here. The system uses CT WiZ, Connecticut’s immunization information system, to confirm a person’s vaccination status.”

Happy Holidays from CT House Democrats

Some of my Freshman colleagues and I put together a little video from our family at House Democrats to use, celebrating all of the holidays and festivals celebrated this time of year. I hope you'll enjoy our little video and perhaps, like me, you'll learn about a couple of new, old traditions. Wishing you and yours joy whatever you are celebrating.