Legislative Update 6.18

June 18, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

Writing you today from the ark we are building in our backyard—or at least it feels that way after 17 weekends in a row of rain! I don't know about your gardens, but my tomatoes and zucchini plants are ready for the sun.
 
Save the date for the first of two end-of-session coffees Senator Paul Honig and I will be hosting. Saturday, June 28th, from  9 to 10 a.m., we invite you to join us at Little Oak Café in Canton. We will bring a copy of the Major Issues Report that you'll see in this e-news, authored by our non-partisan staff, so we can discuss some of the legislation that passed this session.
 
As we continue to discuss HB5002, the latest housing bill, I took a little time to speak with Mike Hydeck at NBC Connecticut on his show, "Face the Facts." If you didn't get a chance to see it, I've included it below.
 
I hope you've taken the opportunity to enjoy the Canton Farmers Market each Sunday in Collinsville from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. We have so many great local options for fresh farm produce, even beyond the market, including Sub Edge Farm, Applegate Farm Market, and the Cow's Coop, to name a few.
 
Wishing you a great week,

Eleni

Celebrating Juneteenth 

Tomorrow, June 19th, is Juneteenth. Juneteenth celebrates the end of slavery in our country.

For many years, this important holiday was primarily celebrated in the South but was unknown to others from the rest of the country.

However, thanks to great advocacy work, it is now rightfully observed throughout the country, including Connecticut. In 2022, the Connecticut General Assembly voted to make Juneteenth a state holiday.

 

Contrary to popular belief, the Emancipation Proclamation did not end the practice of slavery in America. It also did not end after the Civil War. On June 19, 1865, 2 months after the Civil War ended, a group of Union soldiers traveled to Galveston, Texas, and announced that all enslaved people were now free. They were among the last group of Americans to be notified of their freedom.

Although Juneteenth celebrates a momentous event in our history, we must also take time to reflect on the horrors of slavery and its lingering effects on our society.

As your state representative, I will continue to push for legislation that will make Connecticut a better state for all. If you have any questions about Juneteenth, its history, and how it has been celebrated around the country, please check out this page from the National Museum of African American History and Culture.
 

Extreme Hot Weather Protocol Sets in on Sunday

Due to an anticipated stretch of high temperatures, the state is activating its Extreme Hot Weather Protocol, effective at noon on Sunday, June 22. The protocol will remain in effect through at least 8 p.m. on Wednesday, June 25.
 
This is the first time this year that the protocol is being activated. The current forecast calls for temperatures to exceed 90 degrees over this period, with a heat index that could range between 100 to 105 degrees.
 
The purpose of activating the protocol is to ensure that the most vulnerable populations receive protection from the hot conditions. While enacted, a system is set up for state agencies, municipalities, and other partners to coordinate with United Way 2-1-1 to make sure that information regarding cooling centers is available statewide, providing a location for those in need of relief.
 
Cooling centers will be available throughout the state. Anyone in need of a place to get out of the heat can locate their nearest cooling center by calling 2-1-1 or viewing the list that will be published online at 211ct.org.
 

Major Public Acts from 2025 Session

The Office of Legislative Research along with the Office of Fiscal Analysis has compiled brief descriptions of the most significant, far-reaching, and publicly debated acts adopted by the General Assembly in its 2025 regular session.

Please click on the image below to have a look.
 

Let's Talk Affordable Housing with Face the Facts 
Thanks to Mike Hydeck for having me on “Face the Facts” last Sunday to discuss HB5002. I appreciated the opportunity to highlight the great sections of the bill, like the first-time homebuyer savings account and transit-oriented development.

I am also grateful to be able to discuss some of the misinformation about this bill because it’s important to clear up some of the misgivings people may have. Click on the photo to see the short video.
 

Keeping the Conversation Going...in Fairfield County

I joined House Majority Leader Jason Rojas today for a virtual discussion with Fairfield County Talks Housing. Please click on the image below to read the story.
 

Canton Main Street Farmer's Market
One of my favorite things to do on a leisurely Sunday is to stroll through our wonderful Canton Farmers Market in Collinsville.

It’s a great way to be inspired for the meals in the week ahead with all of the delicious local bounty.

If you’re interested in attending, stop by between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. every Sunday, now until early fall.

 
 

Highlighting Our Expanded Pollinator Program 
It's National Pollinator Week!

This is a time when we raise awareness about the critical role pollinators play in our ecosystem, food supply, and everyday lives, including honeybees, butterflies, bats, birds, ants, moths, wasps, and flies, too.  

The CTDOT is also using this week to highlight the state's Expanded Pollinator Program, which began with eight sites covering 10 acres.

Now, there are more 154 conservation areas spanning 250 acres, including a new site at the Route 44 and Route 202 split in Canton. For more details, please click HERE.
 

Fostering Positive Interactions Between Police, Autistic Individuals

What a great idea!
 

Help! Canton Athletic Fields Need Names 

The Canton Board of Selectmen seeks the public's help in coming up with names for three scholastic fields, including the Canton Middle/High School turf field, the Canton Middle/High School stadium, and the upper field at Canton Middle/High School.

Please click on the Patch story below for more details and an application for naming town facilities.

Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative

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