Rachel Khanna

Last week we were called into a special session to vote on House Bill 7001, one section of which will move the state’s presidential primary up to the first Tuesday in April. This is good for CT and the bill had significant bipartisan support. Here’s why:
 
As we know, presidential primaries determine the ultimate nominees and with CT’s taking place in late April, it was among the last. By the time it was our turn, candidates had basically been chosen by other states with earlier primaries. Therefore, by moving the CT primaries up to the beginning of April, Connecticut gains more influence in who ultimately gets the nomination. It also means more opportunities for voters to meet the candidates because they have to campaign here. What’s even better is that an earlier primary is likely to bring in more money in ad dollars and event production for those candidate visits. I consider it a big win for our state and for voters.
 
And there’s other great news! Governor Ned Lamont announced last week that the Connecticut State Bond Commission will vote at its October 6 meeting to approve $25 million to purchase new voting machines for use in elections and primaries statewide. It’s time to replace the existing machines, which date back to 2006, to ensure we continue to get accurate and timely election results. 

On Monday, Connecticut launched a prescription drug discount card program that can save Connecticut residents up to 80% off certain prescriptions at nearly all pharmacies in the state. Plus, it’s free! You can learn more about it in my video below.
 
I highly encourage everyone to take advantage of this program. In addition to there being no cost, there is no age or income restriction to join and there is no limit to the number of prescriptions you can fill including brand name and generic medications. To sign up, please click HERE.

Two weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit four amazing organizations and programs with my colleagues from the House, Representatives Steve Meskers and Hector Arzeno. We visited the AVID Program at Greenwich High School, Barbara's House, Family Centers, and the Organics Recycling Pilot Program at New Lebanon. These programs do important work in our community, and we are proud to support them. Through our work, we secured $25,000 to support the work of Family Centers, $100,000 for Barbara's House, $25,000 for Greenwich Alliance for Education to support the AVID Program at Greenwich High School, and $150,000 to support the waste diversion initiative in Greenwich public schools.

Effective January 1, 2024, the state's minimum wage of $15 will increase to $15.69 as part of its first-ever economic indicator adjustment. 

This increase was made possible thanks to legislation passed in 2019, which implemented five incremental increases in the minimum wage between 2019 and 2023, followed by future adjustments that are tied to the percentage change in the federal employment cost index.

Beginning on January 1, 2024, and occurring annually each January 1, the state’s minimum wage will be adjusted according to the U.S. Department of Labor’s calculation of the employment cost index for the 12-month period ending on June 30 of the preceding year. The law requires the Connecticut Department of Labor to review this percentage change and then announce any adjustments by October 15 of each year. The minimum wage adjustments become effective the next January 1.

Providing livable wages to the lowest-earning workers is a step in the right direction to help them make ends meet and provide for their families. This increase not only assists hard-working Connecticut families, but it can spur local economies by putting more money in people's pockets, which drives up spending power and makes it easier to pay household bills. Approximately 60% of minimum-wage earners in Connecticut are women, according to the Current Population Survey, calculated by the US. Census Bureau and U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. 

No one should be forced to work multiple jobs just to make ends meet. I stand in strong support of this pay adjustment and the workers who will benefit from it. 

It was nice to see friends and neighbors to mark the start of Domestic Violence Awareness Month at the annual Greenwich YWCA's Walk the Walk. Supporting the work of this organization and so many others like it is critical to ensuring that victims of domestic violence and their children have the emergency and counseling services they need.

Join the Round Hill Volunteer Fire Company on October 6 to celebrate the fire company's 75th Anniversary at the annual Oktoberfest fundraiser. All proceeds benefit the all-volunteer firehouse! For more information or to purchase tickets, click HERE. 

U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal and State House Square will hold a passport acceptance day on October 7, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., in Hartford. Appointments and walk-ins are welcome. To make an appointment, call 860-258-6940. Passport applications can be downloaded at travel.state.gov. 

The Foodshed Forum invites you to “A Tale of Two Towns: Addressing Food Insecurity in Greenwich. This panel discussion will be held at the Greenwich Town Hall Meeting Room on Tuesday, October 10, from 7 p.m. - 8:30 p.m. The event is free, and all are welcome. The organizers kindly ask that attendees RSVP in advance by emailing ali@thefoodshednetwork.org. 

For more information or to RSVP for the event, click HERE. 

Yellow Tulip Project planting day is October 14! 

When: Saturday, October 14, 10 a.m. 

What: Help plant yellow tulips to replenish and create new hope gardens in Greenwich that smash the stigma around mental health. 

Where: Meet at Cos Cob Elementary School before going to different locations. 

The sign-in sheet can be found HERE. 

For more information on the project, visit https://theyellowtulipproject.org/ 

18th Annual Walk/Run for Abilis
Sunday, October 15, 2023
Greenwich Point Park 
(Tod’s Point) Clambake Area
Old Greenwich, CT
 
JOIN IN FOR A FUN, FAMILY-FRIENDLY 1-MILE WALK & 5K RUN AROUND SCENIC TOD'S POINT
Adult runners are $40 to register
Youth runners (ages 11-17) are $20 
Youth runners (under age 11) are free
 
CARNIVAL FOR A CAUSE WILL BE BACK WITH FUN GAMES AND ATTRACTIONS FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY

The Walk/Run for Abilis features a family-friendly 5K run and an all-abilities accessible 1-mile walk around beautiful Greenwich Point Park. You can register as a team or as an individual and start fundraising for the cause!