Rachel Khanna

Recently, Attorney General Tong joined my fellow Representatives Meskers and Arzeno and I for an Elder Justice Forum at the Greenwich Library. The discussion focused on scams used to take advantage of vulnerable older adults. 
 
The fact is that Connecticut’s population is aging. It’s the seventh oldest state in the nation and about 16% of the state’s population is 65 or over. In addition, our older citizens are frequently targeted by criminals seeking to defraud them or hurt them in other ways. In June 2021, the Office of the Attorney General, in partnership with the Elder Justice Coalition, created a hotline for people who have been or suspect they have been:

• Defrauded 
• Contacted by thieves seeking to swindle them
• Victims of abuse or neglect

In addition, the hotline can assist older people who may need help accessing benefits or assistance. The number for the Elder Justice Hotline is 860-808-5555.
 
In the legislature, we’ve taken other steps to help older adults. You can view some of the important legislation we passed HERE. And, as we continue to develop policies and strategies for our older adult population, we need to ensure that older adults and their caregivers are not isolated and have the tools and resources they need to live full and active lives.

Election Day is this coming Tuesday, November 7th! The full slate of municipal offices as well as the Representative Town Meeting will be on the ballot in Greenwich. In Stamford, in addition to most local offices being on the ballot (except the mayor, which is every four years) there will be a referendum on the City’s Charter.

If you’ve received your absentee ballot and haven’t returned it yet, please don’t forget to drop it off at your nearest drop box. If you are unable to vote in person during normal polling hours (6 a.m.-8 p.m.) on Election Day, you can still vote by requesting an absentee ballot and vote on the spot at your town clerk’s office. You can find additional information about voting at www.vote411.org.
 
Greenwich 
Town Hall Information
101 Field Point Road 
Greenwich, CT 06830
Phone: (203) 622-7700
Registrar of Voters
View sample ballots HERE!

Stamford 
Stamford Government Center 
888 Washington Boulevard 
Stamford, CT 06901 
Phone: (203) 977-4140
Registrar of Voters
View sample ballots HERE!  
 
I hope to see you at the polls next Tuesday!

The Connecticut Education Association (CEA) typically issues legislative report cards every two years, but this year, issued an annual report.

The report card examines how legislators voted in 2023 on bills addressing several key issues such as play-based learning, earlier kindergarten start date, elimination of teacher evaluation ratings, increases to ECS funding, improved indoor air quality, and more.

I'm pleased to have obtained an "A" grade. To see my voting record, click HERE. 

Recently, the CT League of Conservation Voters released its annual Environmental Scorecard. The legislation included in the scorecard represents a diverse set of environmental concerns. I'm pleased to report I received a 92% rating from CTLCV.

Great news! The Housing Advisory Panel voted last week to approve one-time grant funding awards as part of the Interest on Real Estate Brokers Trust Account (IOREBTA) Program, which includes $20,000 for the Pacific House and $5,000 for The Mews. 

IOREBTA Program funds annually support appraisal gap financing for first-time homebuyers, development of affordable housing projects, counseling for low- and moderate-income homebuyers, and second mortgage down payment assistance when the Down Payment Assistance Program (DAP) Loan was suspended. The IOREBTA Program has also funded the purchase of mortgages from Connecticut chapters of Habitat for Humanity and other housing subsidies. This year's grant awards include help for intellectual and developmental disability (IDD) and Veterans' housing, low-income and affordable housing, and homelessness assistance and prevention programs.

• Stamford - The Pacific House grant of $20,000 will aid in acquiring home furnishings for individuals and families who are moving from homelessness into housing. As Pacific House brings new buildings online, they are presented with the next hurdle to outfit apartments with the basic necessities to occupy these units. Typically, this includes beds, dressers, chairs, tables, and other home furnishings.
• Greenwich - The Mews grant of $5,000 will aid in one of several projects that are currently being explored, including a new van, a new entranceway on Arch Street, continual renovations of apartments, or sunroom restoration.

Thank you to the Housing Advisory Panel, including Rep. Luxenberg, Co-Chair of the Housing Committee and Panel, for approving these grants and recognizing that Pacific House and The Mews are dedicated to helping our communities. 

Last week, I attended the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich. Over the summer, we celebrated the approval of a $ 6.5 million bond for the Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich by Governor Lamont and the Connecticut Bond Commission. The funding is for critical renovations of the Clubhouse. The Boys & Girls Club of Greenwich is a tremendous asset to the Town of Greenwich and its residents, and I am looking forward to seeing the finished product and, more importantly, to see the impact on all the children and families who will benefit from this.

Last week, the YWCA of Greenwich held its annual domestic violence vigil. As the sun set on the outdoor event, candles were lit for 21 victims who lost their lives to domestic violence in Connecticut over the past year. 

To read more about the event in the Greenwich Free Press, click HERE or click on the graphic below.  

The Greenwich Department of Human Services is collecting new or gently used children and adult winter coats that will then be distributed to people in need here in the community. The coat drive will go until November 15 and people can also donate a coat purchased off an Amazon Wish List using the QR code in the graphic.

The coat donation boxes are located at:

• Greenwich Town Hall, 101 Field Point Road 
• Greenwich Library, 101 West Putnam Avenue
• St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, 200 Riverside Avenue
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On Monday, November 6, in Greenwich Library’s Black Box Theatre beginning at 6 p.m., Dr. Michael Bernstein, Associate Director of Pulmonology and Critical Care at Stamford Health, will discuss the effects of wildfire smoke and other pollutants on the lungs. He will also take questions from the audience.

You can register for this program online HERE or contact the library at 203-622-7913. Walk-ins welcome.

This event is co-sponsored with the Commission on Aging and River House Adult Day Center. It is a presentation of the Caregiver Circle series.

Connecticut K-12 students have a fun and exciting opportunity to win up to $20,000 towards their future education with the CHET Dream Big! Competition. 
 
The deadline to enter is NOVEMBER 6!
 
The Dream Big! Competition, which is offered by the Connecticut Office of the Treasurer, asks students to answer a question in the form of a drawing, essay, or video. Younger students are asked to answer a question focused on improving their communities and the lives of others, and older students are asked to describe a lesson they’ve learned and how it will influence their future.

Prizes will be awarded in the form of contributions to a CHET 529 college savings account and support for local schools.

• 3 Grand Prize winners receive $20,000 (one student from each age group)
• 24 winners receive $6,000 (eight students per age group)
• 336 winners receive $500 (112 students per age group)
• 10 randomly selected participating schools will win $7,500 in tech equipment

 The competition is open to all Connecticut K-12 students, and every child has the chance to participate.
 
Here is the link to learn more and enter: https://chetdreambig.com/     

I wanted to let our veterans know about an upcoming informational hearing that will be held on November 8, from 1 p.m.- 4 p.m. in Room 2C of the Legislative Office Building in Hartford. The Veterans' and Military Affairs Committee Informational Public Hearing is designed to gather feedback from members of the public regarding veterans affairs in preparation for the upcoming legislative session. You can sign up to testify in-person or remotely.

It's a Pickeball fundraiser for Barbara's House! All player levels are welcome. If you don't want to play, come enjoy refreshments and fun games like pool and ping pong while you cheer on the players. If you can't attend but want to donate, click HERE. 

Barbara's House is a Greenwich-based social service agency dedicated to building skills that empower clients to overcome educational, social, and economic barriers. To learn more, click HERE.

The application period is open for the Stamford Arts & Culture Grant. This funding goes toward arts and cultural programming, as well as art projects in our community. Since 2018, the grant has been administered by the Stamford Arts & Culture Commission. This year, the city has generously allocated $191,500 in funding for the Arts & Culture Commission to distribute to nonprofit organizations and artists. 

Applications are due before 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, November 21. To apply or for more information on eligibility requirements, click HERE.

Veterans are welcome to attend an appreciation Thanksgiving lunch on Monday, November 20, from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., at the Government Center in Stamford.