Expanded Paid Sick Days: It's The Law, PA 24-46, A Good Look For Veterans

May 30, 2024


 
View this email in your browser
Dear Neighbor,

While our parades were rained out this weekend, I heard that the ceremonies in each town were quite moving. I say “heard,” because, unfortunately, I’ve been down for the last week with what feels like the worst cold I have ever had. I was very sad to miss these meaningful annual events and hope many of you had the chance to be there.
 
This week, I’ve included information on legislation recently signed into law by the Governor. You can also find a much longer list of bills the Governor has signed,

here. And, finally, I have included some information on upcoming events including the start of Pride Month and a training institute focused on homelessness.
 
Wishing you a good week ahead,
 
Eleni
EXPANDED PAID SICK DAYS: IT'S THE LAW
Workers should never have to choose between their health and their jobs. This legislation signed by Governor Lamont expands this coverage to include more workers in two ways:

Beginning January 1, 2025, these laws will apply to workers of nearly every occupation, not just those in retail and service jobs. (Seasonal employees and other certain temporary workers are exempt.)
 
The threshold for coverage will be lowered in three phases, beginning with employers that have at least 25 employees on January 1, 2025; those with at least 11 employees beginning January 1, 2026; and those with at least one employee beginning January 1, 2027.
 
PUBLIC ACT 24-46: A GOOD LOOK FOR OUR VETERANS
Click the image below to learn more about PA 24-46 and its passage.
 
DROWNINGS UP NATIONWIDE
Every year around this time, we get excited about our summer plans. Days at the beach. Time at the pool. Joining a friend on a boat for an afternoon. What we don’t like to think about is the risk associated with these activities.
 
Unfortunately, drownings are up for the first time in years and the reasons are many: boating accidents involving alcohol; unattended children near water; riptides, and strong currents.

Swimming lessons are a critical tool to help prevent drowning, but when you’re heading out for a good time, having a sober boat driver is important as well as having an eye on the kids as much as the fun. 

From the above article, “Drowning is the leading cause of death among U.S. children ages 1-4, according to the CDC, and drowning rates were highest in kids that age. But, the agency said, more than 40 million U.S. adults (15.4 percent) don’t know how to swim, and more than half (54.7 percent) have never had a swimming lesson.”

You can learn more about the signs of drowning, HERE because it often doesn’t look the way you think it will.
 
More information is also available by clicking on the story HERE. Have a great summer and remember to stay safe!
 
PUPS AND PRIDE PARADE AND ART SHOW IN CANTON SATURDAY
This Saturday, June 1st, the Canton Arts Council, the Friends of Canton Dog Park, New England Puppy Rescue, and the Shops at Farmington Valley will kick off the fourth annual Pups and Pride Parade and Art Show. This free event kicks off yearly at the Canton dog park at 10:00 a.m. The pups and their families walk approximately a mile to the Shops at Farmington Valley. You can register your dog to be eligible for prizes by clicking on the image below.
In addition to the Art Show, there are activities for kids and dog treats from Woofgang Bakery as well as sips and snacks from local restaurants. It’s going to be a dog gone good time!
 
PRIDE DAY AT THE CAPITOL IS ON MONDAY!
 
21ST ANNUAL TRAINING INSTITUTE SET FOR JUNE 12TH

The 21st Annual Training Institute (ATI) will be held on Wednesday, June 12th, at the Connecticut Convention Center in Hartford. Nichele Carver, Senior Regional Advisor at the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, and keynote speaker  Ann Oliva, Chief Executive Officer of the National Alliance to End Homelessness (NAEH), will be leading a crucial workshop titled "Sleeping Outside is Not a Crime: Decriminalizing Homelessness"

This year’s ATI is significant because it marks CT Can End Homelessness (CCEH) 40 years of dedicated service in ending homelessness. From keynote addresses to workshops hosted by national experts, CCEH aims to provide the perspective of a national conference in Connecticut.

This event will feature workshops on:

  • Equitable Pathways from Incarceration to Housing
  • Organizing Local Communities to Solve Homelessness
  • Incorporating Voices with Lived Experience
  • Master Leasing for the Affordable Housing Crisis
  • Creating Shared Accountability for Equity
  • And many more

To register for the event, please click on the image below:
 
AANHPI HERITAGE MONTH HIGHLIGHT
Our state’s Attorney General, William Tong, is a man of many firsts. He works every day to safeguard our civil rights and freedoms, fighting alongside state attorneys general nationwide to protect the rights of women, minority communities, immigrants, and the LGBTQ+ community. Attorney General Tong has joined the Justice Department’s lawsuit to take on LiveNation/Ticketmaster for monopolizing markets across the live concert industry. You can learn more by clicking on the image below.
 
SUMMER IN CONNECTICUT
Whether you're hiking scenic trails, lounging on beautiful beaches, or enjoying local festivals, there's no shortage of activities to make your summer unforgettable. Get out and explore all that our state has to offer, including:
  • 110 state parks
  • 32 state forests
  • ️100+ miles of shoreline
  • 3,000+ lakes, ponds and reservoirs

Don’t forget - through the Passport to the Parks program, drivers with Connecticut-registered vehicles do not have to pay a fee to park at any state park or forest. Learn more HERE.
Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative
Website
Website
Email
Email
Facebook
Facebook

Forward to a friend | Unsubscribe from this list | Update subscription preferences