Newsletter

May 18, 2022
It's been a bit of a whirlwind week with in-district happenings and a last-minute trip to Washington, D.C. to represent Connecticut and Greek-Americans for the state visit of the Prime Minister of Greece.
 
The Farmington Valley Green living festival was a hit in Avon and it was great to see people participating from all over the region. I hope you had an opportunity to attend.
 
We are all saddened and upset to hear about the national baby formula shortage. More information below on where you can access it and the drive Mamabear Organics is doing to collect unopened formula.
 
Also included today is a summary of the Major Public Acts we passed during the '22 session which is produced by our non-partisan Office of Legislative Research, an article on why gas prices remain high, and an update on the revised bottle bill we passed last year. It's also Jewish American Heritage Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and EMS Week!
 
If like me, you are celebrating a college graduate this week, congratulations on getting another one through what may be their last years of education and may your tears all be happy ones.
 
BABY FORMULA DRIVE IN COLLINSVILLE THROUGH SATURDAY; CT DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH OFFERS SUGGESTIONS
If you have unopened formula you can donate it at MamaBear Organics in Collinsville. The drive starts today, however, and will continue through Saturday, May 21, each day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. If you need formula, you can fill out this form and you will receive an email  from MamaBear notifying you of when you will be able to pick up formula.

The Connecticut Department of Health is providing information, suggestions and resources for those in need of formula as well.

  • Check smaller stores or pharmacies for availability. During the formula shortage, it may help to visit stores more frequently and buy formula as it becomes available
  • If you can afford it, buy formula online until store availability improves. Purchase from well-recognized distributors and pharmacies
  • Use caution when purchasing formula from individual or private sellers. You can report price gouging and scams to the CT Office of the Attorney General, HERE, or to local police
  • Check social media groups that are dedicated to infant feeding and formula. Members may have ideas on where to find formula. Always check with your pediatrician regarding any provided advice
  • It is unsafe to add more water to formula, make homemade infant formula, or use regular cow’s milk, or other milk substitutes to feed infants. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends feeding infants iron-fortified infant formula during the first year of life when breastmilk is unavailable
  • Call 2-1-1 or visit 211ct.org to locate community organizations that provide emergency formula
  • Connecticut participates with Mother’s Milk Bank Northeast, which sends most of its donated breast milk to neonatal care units across the state. It’s also available for purchase. Please visit milkbankne.org/receive to learn about it
  • The US Department of Health & Human Services has additional resources for families to use. Click HERE for more information
  • Definitely call your pediatricians' office to find out if they can provide formula to you.

While these resources will not solve the formula shortage, I hope they’ll be helpful during these challenging times.

 
OFFICE OF LEGISLATIVE RESEARCH RELEASES 2022 MAJOR PUBLIC ACTS REPORT
The Office Of Legislative Research (OLR), along with the Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) has comprised summaries of the major legislation we passed during the 2022 session.
Please see the table of contents. For a closer look at the legislation and summaries, click on the image below.
 
GAS PRICES STILL RISING, WHAT GIVES?
I wanted to share a story from Kelley Blue Book that explains why gas prices keep soaring, especially in Connecticut where we've suspended the gas tax through Nov. 30 as part of the budget Governor Lamont signed. Please click on the image below to read the article.
(kelley blue book)
ABOUT THAT REVAMPED BOTTLE BILL...
On Saturday, while giving a ten-minute talk on what the legislature accomplished last session and this session for the environment, I mentioned the revamped bottle bill. I brought up the “nip” bottle specifically because they were a key part of the legislation.

CTPost shared an article on how the five cents is being returned to communities and what potential positive impact it will have.

I hope towns take advantage of these dollars to impact our climate positively.

Please click on the image below to read the article.

 
PROUD TO BE AMONG GREEK AMERICANS WELCOMED AT THE WHITE HOUSE
It’s hard to put into words the pride I feel as a Greek American woman as I was able to participate in the festivities for the Prime Minister of Greece Kyriakos Mitsotakis.

From meeting His Eminence

Archbishop Elpidophoros to hearing bouzouki music playing as we walked in to the White House, the evening was as magical as I imagined.
I stand on the shoulders of my ancestors who gave us democracy, my family who fled genocide to come to this country of opportunity to make a new life, to a single mom and Yiayia and Papou, who raised me to be a proud, strong woman. 

To share this time with our youngest daughter as I shared being in Greece last year with our eldest daughter has been a dream and I hope they continue to be strong Greek-American women who continue our beautiful heritage.

Prior to entering the gallery of the House to hear the Prime Minister’s joint address to Congress, I remarked to Sen. Chris Murphy how much I was thinking of January 6.

Though I didn’t know it before I spoke, we happened to be standing where courageous Officer Goodman prevented more tragedies from occurring on that dark day in our democracy.

The Prime Minister said, “. . .the Greek idea that would forever change the world, is that society functions best if all of its citizens are equal and have the right to share in running their state. In a word, Democracy.” How lucky are we that after 25 centuries, this idea endures and we, as Americans, are the champion and the protector of it around the world.
 
I want to thank Senator Murphy for the invitation, his staff for all of their help (Fabian, you rock!) and for
Rep Jahana Hayes for sharing her copy of the speech with me. To President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden for their incredibly gracious welcome to enthusiastic Greeks and Greek Americans, thank you.

And, best of luck to our new ambassador to Greece George James Tsunis!

 
SPECIAL THANKS TO THE YARD GOATS!
Thank you to the Hartford Yard Goats for hosting our first CGA Kickball Classic and for helping us raise $5,000 for Connecticut Foodshare. Rep. Billy "Mo" Buckbee and I were on hand to present the check to Jason Jakubowski and Al Marino. Thanks, Tim Restall,#nogoatsnoglory
 
HAPPY EMS WEEK!
Did you know that only 11 states deem EMS an “essential service,” unlike fire and police. I am proud to say that Connecticut is one of those states. To all EMTs in our state, many of which are volunteers, we tip our hats to you - YOU ARE ESSENTIAL! 
 
 JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
How well do you know Jewish history in our state?

Visit the Jewish Virtual Library and learn more about the Jewish community's economic, social, political, and cultural contributions to the state of Connecticut by clicking on the image below.

 
 IT'S ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH, TOO
The Asian/Pacific American population in Connecticut grew by 27.1% during the past decade, from 134,091 residents in 2010 to 170,459 in 2020.

Looking for ways to celebrate with your kids? You'll find eight great ideas from Connecticut Children's. Click on the image below.