Major Issues For 2024, Victim/Suspect Legislation Update, Second Innings Graduation

January 17, 2024


 
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Dear neighbor,

Sometimes I hear from constituents that they would like to engage more with the legislature while we are in session, and especially that they would like to know how they can “follow along.“ Now is the perfect time to share a few ways to help you become better acquainted with the CGA.

First, for your inner nerd, there is CT-N.com. They carry live coverage of many of our committee meetings and hearings, and they carry both chambers when we are in session. I admit, I used to watch it before I was elected, and it helps you understand both the players and the process.

Second, there is a wealth of information on the CGA website. If, by chance, you’re reading this and you don’t live in Avon or Canton, you can look up your representation. You can also check which legislators serve on what committees. You can also see what bills each legislator sponsors or co-sponsors (note: this year is a committee bill year, so while you will see sponsors and co-sponsors, ultimately, a committee has to decide to take up an individual legislator bill as a committee bill). 

You can also read “the bulletin” (located on the left-hand side of the screen midway down), which tells you what is going on each day at the CGA.

If you register for an account, you can also track the legislation you are interested in, and it’s a great way to know when you might be able to testify on a bill at a public hearing. The website also provides information not just on this session but on previous sessions, too, if you are trying to look up legislation we passed.

I hope you’ll consider watching some of our sessions this year, and as always, I’m happy to answer any questions you might have or provide any help you may need. 

Have a great week!

 Eleni
 
Major Issues for the 2024 Legislative Session
Here is a look at the issues we could be addressing in the 2024 legislative session, which begins February 7th. Click on the image below.
 
Reminder: Operation Fuel Assistance is Available
For those struggling to pay utility bills, Operation Fuel may be able to help you!

Operation Fuel's energy assistance program opened this week for the Winter/Spring season. Applications will be accepted until March 1 unless available funds run out before that date.

Households with incomes that do not exceed 75% of the State Median Income Guidelines may qualify for assistance. These households include - but are not limited to - the elderly, disabled, working families, or individuals facing a financial crisis.
Eligible clients may apply for energy assistance (gas, electric, oil, or other deliverable fuel) ONCE per year and receive a grant of UP TO $500.
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For utility assistance (electric & gas), clients must show they made at least four payments in the past 12 months, must owe a past due amount, and provide at least four weeks of income information.

Operation Fuel is accepting applications for water and energy bill assistance for:

Electric: Eversource, United Illuminating (UI), and Norwalk Public Utilities
Gas: Eversource, UI, Yankee Gas, Southern Connecticut Gas (SCG), and Connecticut Natural Gas (CNG)
Water: CT Water and The Metropolitan District (MDC)
Operation Fuel has been assisting Connecticut residents for 46 years. In that time, Operation Fuel has distributed millions of dollars in assistance to help thousands of Connecticut households.
 
For more information and to apply for assistance, click HERE
 
Update on Victim/Suspect Legislation
Netflix
As you may recall, a few months ago, the Women’s Bipartisan Caucus held a screening of the documentary, “Victim/Suspect” (you can watch it on Netflix). The documentary chronicled how women who were sexually assaulted and went to the police were sometimes lied to, coerced into recanting, and then accused of filing a false statement turning them from victims into suspects. We had a situation like that occur in Canton as well as other cities across Connecticut.
 
Representative Kate Farrar, Representative Jillian Gilchrest, and I have been diligently working with the CT Alliance to End Sexual Violence in conjunction with law enforcement on legislation that would direct the Police Officer Standards and Training Council (POST-C) to create a model policy for departments across Connecticut.
 
I’ll provide updates on this critical legislation as we work through it during session.
 
Interested in Serving in Government? 
Please click on the image below if you are interested in serving in government. There are hundreds of opportunities out there!
 
Canton Greater Together Grant Information Update 
The Canton Greater Together Community Fund (CCF) is offering $250 to $10,000 grants to Canton-based nonprofits or newly formed nonprofits that work under the umbrella of an existing nonprofit as their fiscal agent.

The CCF Committee plans to disburse up to $40,000 in 2024. Applications will open on Thursday, Jan. 25. The deadline is March 15 at 5 p.m. Grant award winners will be announced on June 1.

Fillable applications may be downloaded from the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving's Canton Community fund page 

HERE. If you don't have a computer, you can use the Canton Public Library's computers and staff will help with the technology if needed. 

CCF Committee members will answer applicant questions. The last day to submit questions is March 8. An information session will be held on Feb. 1 at 7 p.m. in Room C at the Canton Community Center. Refreshments will be served.
 
Our Second Innings Graduation
On Saturday, it was my pleasure to present Certificates of Completion to the graduates of Our Second Innings, an Avon-based upskilling program. Thank you to Love Bajpai (who I met knocking on doors in 2022 when he first told me about this amazing program he started) for including me in their special day.
 
The program offers resume reviews, mock interviews, placement services, and most importantly, classes needed to gain critical skills for competing in our modern workforce. The classes offered free of cost to participants are on par with college courses. Some of the classes offered are Python and Tableau.
Congratulations to all of the recent graduates and for more information or to sign up for the classes yourself, please visit https://oursecondinnings.org
 
Avon Historical Society Turns 50!
A year's worth of events are planned in celebration of the Avon Historical Society's 50 years! A special exhibit noting the town's past is already on display at the Avon Free Library. For a great read on the celebration, please click HERE.
 
Community Event Reminder
Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative
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