Early Childhood Public Hearing Today, Housing Bill Signed, Still Work to Do

December 10, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

The calendar may still technically be fall, but these temperatures certainly feel like January and true winter! With that in mind, we are sharing some safety tips around space heaters—number one, never ever plug them into an extension cord or a power strip—always plug them into a wall. You'll also find information on heating bill assistance for anyone who may qualify for it.

We continue to have deep concerns that Congress will not continue the subsidies that have been a lifeline for so many.

I am in ongoing conversations about what we may be able to do at the state level with the $500 million we set aside to deal with changes at the federal level, and decisions need to be made soon, as people need to sign up for their plans by December 15th.

Please continue to share your stories with me of the increases you are seeing, as I must share them with the Governor's office.
 
As you probably heard, the Governor held a ceremonial bill signing this week in Norwalk. It was great to be at a recent housing development that is 100% affordable and even has seven units set aside for recently homeless folks.

As the Governor said, no conversation about affordability can be had unless we talk about housing. In a recent poll, over 90% of CT residents said affordable housing is their number one concern, and poll after poll shows how many people are spending well beyond 30% of their income on housing, making them cost-constrained.
 
I truly appreciated the comments made by the North Haven First Selectman, Michael Freda, when he shared some of what he was hearing about the bill and his statement on the truth of the bill.

I've received many comments that we are going to ruin Connecticut's charming towns with this bill, and it is patently false, which is why it is great to have the backup of COST, CCM, the COGs, and the selectmen or mayors who all had a hand in this bill say, it's just not true. No bill is perfect, and we cannot let perfect be the enemy of the good.
 
Finally, I had the opportunity last week to tour the Coca-Cola bottling facility in East Hartford, and it was, honestly, amazing. The front part of the building dates to 1941, and we were told that the facility is number two in the country (nearly 500,000 square feet) for how much they can bottle (or can) in a year.

Tours like this are important as a legislator because it helps us understand where our constituents work and the important role of facilities that have been in our state for nearly 100 years. Have somewhere you think I should visit? Let me know!
 
Have a great week,

Eleni

Early Childhood Hearing 

Here's a great opportunity to provide input regarding the future of early childhood education in the state and share your thoughts with the Early Childhood Education Endowment Advisory Board.

You can make your voice heard either in public or via Zoom today.
 

Long-Term Pension Obligations? Progress

Admittedly, the recent announcement on the state's payments into retired teachers' and state workers' pension funds isn't likely to get your heart pumping or have you high-fiving your best friends.
 
But the news that the state is making continued progress toward meeting its long-term obligations is incredibly important to every Connecticut resident.
 

First, the numbers: the retired state workers' fund increased by more than $2.3 billion in 2025 due to strong investment performance and additional contributions. The unfunded liability decreased from $19.2 billion to $17.6 billion. The funded ratio increased from 55.2% to 59.6%.
 
Meanwhile, the retired teachers' fund grew by more than $1.6 billion, with its funded ratio increasing to 63.7%.
 
In a vacuum, the ratios may seem low, but consider that in 2018, the ratios were 37% for state retirees and 52% for teachers. That's because, for decades, the state failed to make the full required annual contributions to its pension funds, leading to a huge, compounding debt. Since 2011, however, responsible budgets adopted by the state legislature have fully funded these contributions annually and implemented collaborative reforms with labor and management.
 
What this means is that Connecticut is continuing to keep its financial house in order. One huge knock-on effect in a healthier pension landscape is that Connecticut's credit ratings have improved (to Aa2, AA-, AA, and AA+ by the various agencies), making it less expensive to borrow money due to lower interest rates.
 
Exciting? Maybe not. But definitely great news for each of us.
 

Housing Bill Signed, Work To Do

As we tell our kids, hard work pays off, and today, years of hard work, started long before I was in the legislature, paid off for the people of Connecticut.

Thank you to the Office of Governor Ned Lamont for signing HB 8002 — AN ACT CONCERNING HOUSING GROWTH. Thank you to Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff and House Majority Leader State Representative Jason Rojas for their leadership to get this bill across the finish line.

Thank you to my Planning and Development Co-Chair, State Senator MD Rahman, and the Housing Co-Chairs, State Senator Martha Marx and State Representative Antonio Felipe, for their efforts and, especially, their debating skills.

Thank you to State Representative Geoff Luxenberg, who helped lead a group of us through hours of talking to advocates and everyday people, and to the rest of that group, State Representative Gary Turco and State Representative Travis Simms, for keeping us on track.

Thank you to Erin Boggs and Pete Harrison and Nick Kantor, and all of the people who came to testify for or against the original bill. Thank you to my ranking member, State Representative Joe Zullo, for always keeping a good attitude, especially about Work, Live, Ride, which I heard over 40 hours of testimony on, but his number is closer to 60 hours at least.

Thank you to CCM CT and the Connecticut Council of Small Towns (COST) and the COGs for being at the table all summer, helping make the bill even better for towns.

And, one last thank you for my favorite quote of the day from Republican First Selectman, Michael Freda, “I’m starting to hear, even in my area, that the bill is a bad bill. ‘We’re going to lose local control.’ I can tell every one of you here, we’re not going to lose local control. I can guarantee you that,” Freda said. “And if anybody has any questions, you can call me at North Haven Town Hall.”

It was a joyous day to begin tackling affordability and our housing crisis.

You can find news coverage HERE.

Please click on the video below to hear my comments from the press conference.
 
 

Toys for Tots Donations Needed 

The Investors Center, located at 70 East Main in Avon, is proud to be a Toy Drop Site for Toys for Tots. Please consider donating a new tricycle, toy, or book to support Connecticut children in need by December 12th!
 

Heating Bill Assistance Available

If you or someone you know is struggling to keep up with their energy bills, now is the time to get assistance this winter heating season.

There is a plan for everyone, including:

Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP):

  • Apply to get up to $645 towards your heating bill from CEAP. Apply for CEAP online HERE or through your local Community Action Agency (CAA). Find your local CAA at 211.ct.org or call 211. 

Energy Efficiency:

  • Take advantage of Eversource’s energy efficiency programs, incentives, and tips to help you save money and reduce your overall energy use during the colder months. Renters need permission from their landlords to participate.  

Winter Protection:

  • If you provide proof of qualifying household income or public assistance benefits you receive for at least one household member, your service cannot be shut off between November 1 and May 1.

To find the right options for you, click HERE to learn more about these programs. You can also find your local CAA for assistance at 211ct.org or call 211.
 

Access Health CT Update

Access Health HCT offers free expert help online, in-person, and over the phone to help customers with the process of enrolling.

  • Customers can visit accesshealthct.com and click the GET HELP button on the homepage to find the option that works best for them — including scheduling an appointment, finding a nearby Navigator site, or attending an enrollment fair.
  • There is also a list of Certified Brokers available, and it is free to work with a broker. They are trained to help customers find a plan.
  • Customers can also contact the AHCT call center at 1-855-805-4325 with questions. Help is available in over 100 languages.
 

Electric Portable Heater Safety Tips

Many of us use electric portable heaters, especially during cold snaps like the one we just experienced. Please see the space heater safety tips below. 

Did you know that half of all home-heating fires happen in the winter months? Please be safe.
 

Mortgage Crisis Job Training

Are you behind on your mortgage payments? Are you looking to increase your earning potential? The Mortgage Crisis Job Training Program may be a great fit for you! Apply HERE or call 1-866-683-1682.
 

Aspiring Educators Scholarship 

The Aspiring Educators Scholarship Program, administered by the Connecticut State Department of Education (CSDE), is designed to support diverse students who graduate from public high schools in priority school districts and enroll in teacher preparation programs.

The program offers up to $10,000 annually for tuition, with the application deadline set for February 6, 2026. This initiative is part of the state's broader efforts to diversify the educator workforce and address the teacher shortage.
 

Skill Up for Manufacturing

If you are looking for a career in manufacturing, apply now for Skill Up for Manufacturing 2026.

Learn fundamentals in as little as 5 weeks, connect with employers, and start earning competitive wages. The class offers free training, hands-on experience, and industry-recognized credentials.

Upcoming Sessions:

January 20 – March 13, 2026 | Middlesex/Vinal Technical H.S., Middletown
February 23 – March 27, 2026 | Gateway CC, New Haven

Click here for more information and to apply now. Take the first step toward a rewarding career in manufacturing!
 

Touring Coca-Cola 

I had a fascinating visit last week to the Coca-Cola bottling facility in East Hartford.

They provide over 750 jobs to our state and this location is the number two bottler in the U.S. and their region includes all of New England and as far down as a small section of Pennsylvania. It is quite the operation!
 
When you scroll through the photos to the large vats, that’s where the soda is actually created and I can confirm, the air smelled like Sprite today because that’s what they were making. 

It was impressive to hear their efforts to reduce the plastic that makes up their bottles and their additional packaging. Also fun to be here around the holidays to see Santa Claus on the cans! Please click on the image below for a quick look at the awesome tour of the facility.
 
 

Upcoming Events
 

OFA Fiscal Accountability Report

Last week, the Appropriations and Finance, Revenue, and Bonding Committees held a joint meeting to hear the Office of Fiscal Analysis (OFA) Fiscal Accountability Report (FAR). We also heard the Office of Policy and Management's (OPM) report. As a reminder, OFA is our non-partisan staff that works with the legislature.

This was the last time that OPM Secretary Jeff Beckham presented the report as he is leaving the office to become a Superior Court Judge.
 
The reports must include, among other things, an update on the expected balances for the current biennium and projections for the next three fiscal years (OPM used five years), using consensus revenue estimates. Please click on each image to view its report.

 



Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative

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