Rachel Khanna

Earlier this month, CNBC released its rankings of the best states to do business in. Connecticut was listed as 31st, up from 39th last year (read more about this HERE). Watch my video below to see why this is good news.

This week, Wallethub reported that Connecticut public schools ranked second in the country. This shows that our state is making great strides in attracting families and businesses to the State.
 
Not only are we working hard to make Connecticut a great place to do business and raise a family, but Connecticut has also been a national leader in passing a number of measures protecting residents, healthcare workers, and those from out-of-state seeking reproductive services and resources.
 
To ensure access to reproductive care in our state, a number of bills we passed last session were recently signed into law including: 

• Public Act 23-128, which enacts protections for Connecticut medical providers who offer reproductive health care services against adverse actions taken by another state;
• Public Act 23-52, which allows pharmacists to prescribe birth control;
• Public Act 23-41, which increases access to reproductive health care services by college students at public institutions of higher education;
• Public Act 23-56, which establishes safeguards against the collection, sharing, and selling of personal data online, including health-related information; and
• Public Act 23-147, which improves maternal healthcare by expanding birthing hospitals in Connecticut. 

Last week, I had the privilege of presenting citations to the members of Greenwich Women's Crew Team on behalf of the Greenwich delegation. These athletes represented our town, state, and country on the world stage at the Henley Royal Regatta in the United Kingdom. The race, established in 1893, is considered one of the most prestigious international rowing competitions.
 
This Junior Women’s 8+ boat was the only American team to claim victory at Henley this year. The team’s win represents years of hard work, sweat, and blisters from the young women and is a testament to the coaches, teammates, and families who supported them. Also present were the members of the Junior Men’s 8+ boat, who had a strong showing at Henley.

This week, I had the privilege of attending the TeenTalk Summit hosted by Kids in Crisis. The TeenTalk, KidTalk, and ClubTalk Programs are mental health support programs based in elementary, middle, and high schools as well as after-school programs, serving nearly 3,000 students in Connecticut.
 
Even though the Covid pandemic is over, children and teens continue to have mental health needs. It is critical we work to remove the stigma around mental health and that we support the younger generation so that they can live full, healthy, and successful lives.

It was a privilege to participate in the Greenwich League of Women Voters’ Legislative Recap last week along with Senator Ryan Fazio and Representative Hector Arzeno (our colleague Representative Steve Meskers was attending an insurance conference). There was great attendance and engagement from the community. 

The following areas will be shut down during that time frame:

• South State Street between Greenwich Avenue and Washington Boulevard
• Washington Boulevard between North State Street and Station Place

According to the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), drivers at the station along Station Place and on the on-ramp for I-95 will be largely unaffected.

• 928-space, 7-level parking garage located on South State Street, Stamford
• 320-foot pedestrian bridge over Washington Boulevard connecting the garage to the Stamford Transportation Center (STC)
• Elevators and stairs connecting the garage to the Track 5 platform
• 38 electric vehicle parking spaces
• 150 bike parking spaces
• Centralized STC parking management space and customer counter
• Unique architectural design and façade lighting program
• Building-integrated photovoltaics for on-site energy production
• Minor STC renovations at the pedestrian bridge connection
• Pedestrian crossing improvements at South State Street & Washington Boulevard
• Connectivity to the planned Mill River Greenway

The CTDOT anticipates the project will be completed in September.

Camp Seton Cub Scout and Boy Scout day camp still has openings for weeks five and six. These programs are open for boys and girls grades 2 through 5 and grades 6 through 8.The fee per week per camper is $670. You can register HERE. You will need an account to register.

En Vivo con Maricarmen and Ferguson Library invite you to A Concert for Peace, an afternoon of multicultural music and dance showcasing talented artists from near and far.

Register HERE.

Featured performers for the Sunday, August 6 event include:
Connecticut State Troubadour Kala Farnham
Bokandeye African American Dance Theater
Emerging singer/musician Nathaly Palacios
Composer and musician Paco Godoy
Intempo Youth Ensemble

The concert is open to all ages and will be followed by an international food tasting.