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Dear Neighbor,
We are in our first full week of session and after two years of the building being closed or partially closed, it's wonderful to finally feel the hum of the building. Today, I chaired my first Planning and Development meeting with my co-chair, Senator MD Rahman. While we had some fits and starts, we are off to the races, working on what is known as the most bi-partisan committee in the building and the one that affects our cities and towns the most. It's an honor and a privilege to chair.
As you'll see in this update, I am sharing some thoughts on the opening day of the session. Because of the tragic loss of Rep. Williams, I had not wanted to share these last week. It's hard to explain the elation we all felt in the building on Wednesday getting sworn in to then be in the depths of sorrow the next morning upon hearing the news. We all have an obligation and a duty to move legislation forward that furthers the legacy of the servant leadership Rep. Williams showed us.
Additionally, you'll see information on how we hope to make energy more affordable and some safe-storage information on medicines to keep children safe in our homes.
As a preview, I'm currently working on my constituent survey which you will soon be able to complete online. I look forward to seeing your priorities and hearing your concerns.
Have a good week,
Eleni
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When I was first elected, I thought, “I can’t believe I get to do this work.” Opening Day 2023 was a reminder that this is the greatest honor to continue to serve Avon and Canton and I don’t take one minute for granted.
Opening Day was also special because, as a member of the “COVID class,” we missed out on many of the Opening Day traditions - most importantly, having our family in the chamber and the gallery. What a joy to be with them. These jobs require long hours and when we serve, that means our family also serves. These jobs are not forever - and ensuring our family and friends know what they mean to us is critical.
It’s in these moments that you remember the stories you heard knocking doors, the volunteers who gave up time with their families for you, the reason why you ran in the first place, and that the work you do in this building each session should make the lives of people in Connecticut better (when you’re doing it well).
Thank you for sending me back to Hartford to be your voice and your advocate.
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Combatting High Energy Costs
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With the coldest days of winter upon us, and the cost of home heating bills rising, I wanted to be sure that you were aware of initiatives being taken to improve energy affordability and reliability in our state.
To help Connecticut families now, we're utilizing federal and state dollars to increase energy assistance. The Connecticut Energy Assistance Program (CEAP) will allow all participating households that heat with deliverable fuels, such as home heating oil, to receive an additional crisis assistance benefit worth $430 this winter season.
Coupled with the existing basic benefit and crisis assistance benefits, the additional benefit means those families can now access up to $2,320 per household to help pay their heating bills.
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Households interested in seeking assistance through CEAP should apply online at ct.gov/heatinghelp or contact their local community action agency. Additional assistance is available by calling 2-1-1. Those seeking assistance from Operation Fuel should visit operationfuel.org.
To better prepare for the future and reduce costs, we are also taking the necessary steps to adopt long-term strategies that will:
- Build cleaner, more affordable, and more reliable energy supply by investing in offshore wind, hydropower, nuclear power, and other renewable resources.
- Build energy efficiency and electrification programs that are not just increasing decarbonization and reliability but are creating good jobs.
- Capitalize on historical federal funding opportunities to maximize our investments.
These are just a few actions we are taking now, but throughout this legislative session, I will continue to ensure that we are prioritizing efforts to reduce the rising cost of energy.
Residents should never have to make the difficult decision between staying warm and putting food on the table.
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A Message About Safe Storage of Medications and Other Substances
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It's EVERYONE'S responsibility to make sure substances – both legal or illegal – are kept away from the little hands of our children. What is intended for adult use, can lead to serious injury or even a fatality in a young child.
Please spread the word about ensuring the safety of those most vulnerable in our communities.
Some tips for storing medications and substances that may be harmful if ingested include:
- Keep medications out of the reach of children
- Medications and adult-use substances should be stored in their original containers in a safe, cabinet or private drawer which can be locked.
- Bring medications that are expired, unwanted, or unused, to a drug takeback location
You can find prescription drug drop boxes around the state of Connecticut. To find the one closest to you, click HERE.
The Connecticut Poison Control Center – 1-800-222-1222 – can be accessed in case of emergency.
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Sincerely,
Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative
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