Supporting Women-Owned Small Businesses

November 30, 2023
Dear Neighbors,

According to Boost Suite, 99% of all businesses in Connecticut are small businesses. That equates to 350,376 small businesses. 

Much like supporting women-owned businesses - as I discuss in my weekly video - it’s important to support our local small businesses. By supporting small businesses, we’re investing in our communities, growing our taxpayer base, and stimulating Connecticut’s economy.

In the last legislative session, we passed several bills to support small businesses:

  • SB 1032: Requiring full disclosure of hidden fees on small business loans, ensuring access to judicial hearings in a dispute, and requiring any loan offers to be valid for at least three days.
  • HB 6941: Cutting business taxes to promote expansion of childcare facilities.

I hope you’ll consider shopping small and local during this holiday season.

Sincerely,
Rise in Antisemitism and Hate Crimes in Our Communities
In Greenwich and Stamford, we have witnessed an increase in acts of hate, antisemitism, and racism especially since October 7th. These acts have no place in our community. Let’s join in condemning these acts and unite to create a community where everyone can live free from fear. I am committed to working with my colleagues to ensure that all feel safe in their homes, places of worship, community centers, schools, and universities. Together, let us work towards building a more inclusive and compassionate society.
Supporting Women-Owned Businesses in CT
PURA Rates

There’s good news for CT ratepayers - electricity prices for the first half of 2024 will be lower than last year. Last week, The Connecticut Public Utilities Regulatory Authority advised Eversource Energy (Eversource) and United Illuminating (UI) residential and business customers of changes to standard service generation rates that become effective January 1through June 30, 2024.

The Eversource standard service rate will be 14.71 cents per kilowatt hour (kWh) in the first half of 2024, compared to last winter’s supply rate of 24.71 cents. The UI standard service rate will be 17.06 cents per kWh in the first half of 2024, compared to 21.94 cents for the same period last year.

Ratepayers can compare Eversource and UI standard service generation rates to licensed third-party electric suppliers' current offers on Connecticut's official electricity supply rate board at www.EnergizeCT.com.
Looking Back at the Stamford Downtown Parade Spectacular
I had a great time with friends and colleagues at the Stamford Downtown Parade last week!
 
Stamford United Jewish Federation Legislative Forum
On November 19th, I participated in a legislative forum organized by the United Jewish Federation in Stamford. We met with members of the Jewish community and discussed the rise in antisemitism in our state and nation, which we must condemn, and work to end.
Stamford Veterans Center Thanksgiving Lunch
It was a pleasure to attend the Stamford Veterans Center Thanksgiving Lunch last week. It was a small way to say thank you to all the men and women who bravely chose to serve our country. 
 
Medicare Open Enrollment
With the arrival of the 2024 Open Enrollment Season for Medicare, Medicaid, and the Healthcare Marketplace, I want to ensure that you have the information and resources you or a family member may need to find a quality and affordable healthcare plan.
If you are eligible for Medicare:

The Medicare Open Enrollment Period for the coming year runs from October 15—December 7. If you get your health insurance through Medicare, you can sign up for continued coverage or modify your health care plan for Medicare, Medicare Advantage (Part C), and Medicare’s prescription drug plan (Medicare Part D).
  • For information, advice, or assistance on coverage options, please contact the CT CHOICES Program at 1-800-994-9422 or the Southwestern CT Agency on Aging at 203-814-3698.
  • To compare Medicare Plan options, visit www.medicare.gov and access the “Plan Finder” tool, where you can build prescription drug lists and compare benefits.

If you are currently uninsured, or if you receive your healthcare coverage through Connecticut’s Marketplace, Access Health CT:

The Open Enrollment period to buy or modify an individual or family healthcare plan for next year is from November 1, 2023—January 15, 2024.

  • To sign up for or renew your health and dental coverage, please visit AccessHealthCT.com or reach the call center at 1-855-805-4325. Through the exchange, you can browse and sign up for plans or renew your coverage, including HUSKY Health (Medicaid).
  • For assistance and customer support, visit the Get Help webpage.

Last year, Congress passed the Inflation Reduction Act, which ushered in critical savings on prescription drug costs. This bill caps insulin prices for Medicare beneficiaries at $35 per month and allows Medicare to negotiate lower drug prices for seniors, starting with some of the highest-cost prescription drugs this year. Beginning in 2025, out-of-pocket prescription drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries will be capped at $2,000 annually.

Unfortunately, Open Enrollment is also a time when many scammers try to gain access to your sensitive information. Please remember that Medicare will NEVER call you uninvited and ask you for personal or private information. If someone asks you for your information, for money, or threatens to cancel your health benefits unless you disclose your personal details, hang up and call 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227) or visit medicare.gov.
Neighbor to Neighbor Holiday Food Drive
Now that we've spent a wonderful Thanksgiving with our families, and the Christmas Holiday will be here before we know it, let us take a moment to reflect on those less fortunate in our communities.

If you wish to help out those in need, Neighbor to Neighbor is partnering with Greenwich recreation to host an important food drive from November 26 through December 16. Donations can be given at the locations listed below.
Greenwich Annual Tree Lighting
It's that time of year again!

The Greenwich Annual Christmas Tree Lighting will be hosted at the Town Hall on Friday, December 1 from 4 to 5 p.m. There will be entertainment provided by the Greenwich a-Capella and the Allegra Dance Group.

For more information, click HERE. Poster provided by the Greenwich Park and Recreations Department.
Flurry Fest at Arch in Bloom
Battle of the Badges Blood Drive
Heights & Lights in Stamford Downtown

Prepare to watch Santa Claus repel 22 stories above Stamford Downtown from the Landmark Square, followed by a fireworks show. After Santa, the Grinch, Rudolph and friends reach the ground, they will go to Latham Park to light Stamford's Christmas tree.

The event will take place on Sunday, December 3, at 5:00 p.m. Learn more HERE.
Buy Tickets for Legally Blonde
Tickets are on sale for The Stamford All-School Musical’s production of Legally Blonde the Musical. The Stamford All-School Musical, now in its 16th year, is an after-school musical theater program sponsored by the Stamford Public Schools. This year’s cast and crew features students ages 13 through 12th grade from 13 area schools.
 
If you've seen the movie, you're going to love the musical which is so much fun, it should be illegal! There will be five performances - December 2, 3, 8, 9 & 10 – at Westhill High School, 125 Roxbury Road.
 
To order tickets online, click HERE. Tickets may also be purchased at the school box office one hour prior to the start of each performance. Legally Blonde the Musical is rated PG-13.
 
Greenwich Grand Menorah Lighting

The Grand Menorah Lighting will be held at the bottom of Greenwich Avenue on Saturday, December 9 beginning at 6:15 p.m.

Join the festivity and cheer with the rest of the community. Click HERE for more information.

Giant Menorah Lighting in Latham Park

Chabad of Stamford will be hosting the Giant Menorah Lighting at Latham Park at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, December 10.

There will be latkes, donuts, and plenty of hot apple cider and a Chanukah Concert.

For more information, click HERE. 
If you have questions, or ever need any help please don't hesitate to reach out by phone, 860-240-8553, 203-564-9516 or email, Rachel.Khanna@cga.ct.gov

You can also follow me on Facebook 

and Instagram! 

Sincerely,


Rachel Khanna
State Representative