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| Dear Neighbor,
I hope all is well with you and that you received a lot more treats than tricks for Halloween!
Fall continues to be a busy time with Election Day coming up next week, visits to local businesses, and honoring constituents with their milestones.
I want to call attention to one of the items below. As part of updating the Bottle Bill in the 2021 session, after decades of inaction, we are seeing positive returns already from the "nip" bottle portion of the bill. The first year of the program exceeded expectations and because of the returns of these bottles, both Avon and Canton are receiving funds they can use to reduce litter and support recycling efforts.
November is one of those months that has many "awareness" months. Stay tuned in future issues for information on Lung Cancer Awareness Month, Military Family Month, National Adoption Month, and National Alzheimer's Month (to name a few). Today, we are starting with information on Native American Heritage Month.
As I mentioned last week, we are having some personnel shuffling over the next few weeks. To that end, I most likely will not be sending out an update next week. In the meantime, be well, and have a great week!
Eleni |
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| CT Bottle Bill Pays Off for Towns & Cities |
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| In its first full year, Connecticut's "nickel-per-nip" program has generated over $4.2 million for municipalities throughout the state. The program, which places a 5-cent surcharge on every 50 mL container of alcohol, commonly called a "nip", was passed in 2021 as part of updates to our state's Bottle Bill. Each municipality receives 5 cents for every nip sold within its borders. Checks are sent to cities and towns every April and October.
For the period of April 1, 2022 to September 30, 2022, checks totaling $2.3 million were sent to Connecticut municipalities. Avon received $4,155.17 and Canton received $7,263.87 for this period. Year-to-date, Avon has received $6,965.27 and Canton has received $11,847.17.
The program was designed to help cities and towns provide for the collection and proper disposal of "nip" bottles to combat littering. According to a press release from Three Tiers for Connecticut, which advocated for the program, some towns have used the funds to support recycling centers and litter-reduction initiatives. You can read more about this here. For a town-by-town list of payments, please click here. |
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| Recognized by Jefferson Radiology for Breast Cancer Bills |
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| I was honored to be recognized at Jefferson Radiology for our work this past session to ensure women have access to mammography and cervical cancer detection services.
One bill, Public Act 22-33, provides new resources to the state’s Breast and Cervical Cancer Early Detection Program, to assist more women who need their annual mammogram but lack the financial resources to pay for it. In addition, the law mandates that these women have the very best imaging test possible, called Breast Tomosynthesis, which is a three-dimensional mammogram that allows the physician to identify even the smallest of cancers earlier. The program serves approximately 4,400 women a year at a cost of $2.2 million. I worked on this legislation in the Public Health Committee along with my colleagues.
The second piece of legislation provides major benefits to women who have their annual mammogram and, if there is a problem that requires follow-up treatment or surgery, it is provided to the patient without any out-of-pocket costs. The new law, Public Act 22-90, takes effect on January 1, 2023.
And while Breast Cancer Awareness Month may be over, it’s never too late to remind your friends to get a mammogram today. |
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| Congratulations to Canton Resident Ellen Matos |
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| Congratulations to Canton resident Ellen Matos on her retirement after a 35-year career in special education! Ellen and her husband Rick plan to spend their time visiting our beautiful National Parks. It was great presenting her with a legislative citation with State Rep. Tammy Exum to recognize her for all she's done for our students and community. |
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| November is Native American Heritage Month |
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| "Long before European colonization and American rebellion created the state of Connecticut, diverse Indigenous communities called the land home. They worked its soil, traveled its reaches to trade, and established cultures rich in political, artistic, technological, spiritual, and environmental legacies that continue to evolve today. Despite war, enslavement, and prejudice, Native people have remained active agents in their own and state history." - CT Humanities
This month, I'll be highlighting Native American heritage and notable figures in Connecticut history! |
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| CT Mission of Mercy Providing Free Dental Care |
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| The Connecticut Foundation for Dental Outreach, in collaboration with UConn School of Dental Medicine, is presenting the Connecticut Mission of Mercy Free Dental Clinic (CTMOM) on November 12 and 13 in Farmington.
CTMOM is a two-day clinic that provides FREE dental care to the underserved and uninsured, who would otherwise go without it.
The clinic opens at 8 a.m. on November 12 on a first-come, first-served basis.
Services include cleanings, fluoride treatments, sealants, x-rays, oral health instructions, fillings, extractions, root canal treatments on front teeth, limited partial dentures for front teeth
During the past 14 years, CTMOM has provided over 20,339 Connecticut citizens with more than $13,152,444 worth of free dental care.
For additional information, please click here. |
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| Housing Crisis Line Changes |
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| To respond to the growing demand for housing, the United Way of Connecticut/211 is making changes to its Housing Crisis Line to concentrate staff and the times most calls are received. As of now, the line will be open every day from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. To better focus efforts on helping people who have no shelter and those facing homelessness currently or in the next 14 days, callers who are seeking information on rental assistance, affordable housing options, Section 8 vouchers, or other renter or housing supports will be directed to recorded information and to the 211 website. All other 211 services will remain available 24/7. You can read more about this here. |
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Sincerely,
Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative |
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