Priority Bill 5003 Early Childhood Care and Education Fund, Read Across America Week

March 6, 2025



 

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Dear Neighbor,

As you most likely heard, we were in session yesterday. While I received many messages to override the Governor’s vetoes on the two e-certifications we had passed the week before, we decided to go a different route.
 
We passed the e-certifications again, but we used part of the $300+ million surplus to pay for the $40 million in special education dollars and the $3 million for non-profit grants for organizations seeing an uptick in the need for services based on changes at the federal level.
 
We also passed the State Plan of Conservation and Development Plan, which came from the Continuing Committee for Connecticut’s Development and Future.

I co-chair that committee as part of my responsibilities as the Planning and Development House Chair. The plan provides guidance across state agencies on land and water resource conservation, preservation and development. More on that and a link to the plan below
 
On Tuesday morning, I had the pleasure of spending time with Pine Grove students in Avon for “Read Across America Week.” As always, children have the best questions when it comes to learning about what a State Representative does all day. It’s an honor to get to spend time with our future voters.
 
On Sunday, Congresswoman Jahana Hayes will host a town hall about the federal budget at Avon High School from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. Doors open at 1:30 p.m.

Have a great week,

Eleni
 

Priority Bill 5003 Early Childhood Care and Education Fund

Affordable and accessible childcare is essential for Connecticut families and businesses to thrive. H.B. 5003, a top legislative priority for House Democrats this session, will expedite funding for families, attract and retain childcare educators, and enhance both new and existing childcare facilities.

This proposal builds upon Public Act 24-91, passed unanimously last year and signed by the Governor, which established the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund. Investing in early childhood care and education produces better educational, health, social, and economic outcomes, driving increased revenue while reducing the need for costly spending.

 

Connecticut is home to approximately 181,000 children under the age of five, with 73% of these young children receiving care outside the home while their parents work.

By providing targeted funding and expanding access to childcare, H.B. 5003 will put more money back into our economy by opening new opportunities for stay-at-home parents to re-enter the workforce. This is not just an investment in childcare—it is an investment in the children of Connecticut and the future prosperity of our state.
 

Spending Time @ Pine Grove Elementary During Read Across America Week 

I had so much fun reading to the kids at Pine Grove School in Avon. I shared the book “The Night Before Election Day,” which is told in verse similar to The Night Before Christmas” (which one of the kids adorably pointed out).

Afterward, we talked about voting and the job of a State Representative. Thank you to Angela Antonelli for helping organize the visit. Yay for reading!
 

Boy Scout Troop 274 Can and Bottle Drive Saturday
 

Congressional Budget Town Hall @ Avon High Sunday

A Congressional Budget Town Hall will be held at Avon High School on Sunday, from 2 p.m. to 3 p.m. The proposed federal budget will be the focus of the town hall. 
 

CT Conservation & Development Policies Plan

I was proud to pass the State Plan of Conservation and Development yesterday. This resolution represents a year and a half of work by the Office of Policy and Management, the Office of Responsible Growth, and the Continuing Committee on the State Plan of Conservation and Development that I co-chair.
 
The plan is critically important to our state as we think about how best to manage natural resources and to reimagine land use and public investment decisions. The draft of the plan had four public meetings, five committee meetings, and a public hearing as part of the draft process. The final piece was to bring it to the Senate and House floors as an e-certification.

Click on the image below for details of the plan.
 

SLR Program Info Session Tuesday @ Eastern Connecticut 

I hope you can join us on Tuesday!
 

March 31st: Public Information Meeting on Route 10 Bridge Replacement 

The CTDOT will host a virtual public information meeting on Monday, March 31st, at 7 p.m. to provide the public and local community the opportunity to offer comments or ask questions regarding the replacement of the bridge on Route 10 in Avon.

Construction is anticipated to begin in the spring of 2027. The estimated construction cost for this project is approximately $3.2 million, with 80% federal funds and 20% state funds. 

The meeting will take place on Zoom, and registration is required. A question and answer (Q&A) session will immediately follow the presentation, which will be recorded. For instructions on accessing the meeting and ways to provide comments and ask questions, please click HERE.

This meeting will also be live-streamed at CTDOT YouTube channel; no registration is required. Non-English language closed captioning will be available on Zoom and YouTube. The recording will also be posted immediately following the meeting in the list of CTDOT virtual public meetings HERE.

Members of the public can submit comments and questions during the two-week public comment period following the meeting. Please submit comments and questions by Monday, April 14, 2025, to DOTProject0004-0136@ct.gov. Please reference Project No. 0004-0136.
 

Avon, Canton Police Departments Awarded Speed Enforcement Grants

The Avon and Canton Police Departments have been awarded the State of Connecticut Department of Transportation High Risk Rural Roads Grant, allowing officers to participate in the speed enforcement initiative.
photo credit: wfsb

Through May 30th, both departments will be monitoring traffic on high-risk and most-concerning roadways, looking for traffic violations but specifically conducting speed enforcement. More details in Patch story HERE.
 

Help Your Neighbors

Please consider donating to a program that assists Avon residents. Please click on the image below for more details and a list of the programs.

You can now make donations online to the Avon Special Needs Fund, Fuel Bank, Senior Center, Food Bank and Pet Pantry.
 

Got a Real ID?

The Transportation Security Administration recently issued an important message that will affect anyone who travels on domestic commercial flights. Beginning on May 7, anyone who wishes to travel on a domestic commercial flight must have a REAL ID or other acceptable form of documentation.

What is a REAL ID?
 
A REAL ID is a state-issued ID that meets minimum security standards to access federal facilities and board domestic flights. The program was implemented following a 9/11 commission recommendation on making air travel and federal facilities more secure.
When will I need a REAL ID? 

  • Starting May 7, you will need a REAL ID or another acceptable form of identification to board domestic flights or access certain federal facilities (such as nuclear power plants, military bases, and other federal buildings) 

How do I get a REAL ID? 

  • You can visit your local DMV to learn more and apply for a REAL ID, or at the CT information portal here.
  • In Connecticut, you'll need:
    • a U.S. passport or U.S. birth certificate;
    • a Social Security card; and
    • two pieces of mail from two different sources dated within 90 days to prove that you live in Connecticut.
    • For all new applications for a driver's license, as well as out-of-state transfers to Connecticut licenses, you will automatically be issued a REAL ID.

How do I know if I already have a REAL ID? 

  • Check your driver's license or ID to see if it has a gold star in the upper right corner, like the accompanying graphic. If you do, then you have a verified REAL ID.

What other forms of ID are acceptable?

  • A U.S. passport.
  • State-issued Enhanced Driver's Licenses and identification cards are also acceptable, though Connecticut does not issue them.

For more information, visit: 
 

Need Your Immunization Record?

Need your immunization record? Get it online from the CT WiZ Public Portal! CT WiZ is Connecticut's secure Immunization Information System, making it easy to access and manage your vaccination record anytime, anywhere.

Please click on the image below to access your immunization record.
 

March 27th: Small Business Lending Expo @ CCSU

For small businesses, entrepreneurs, start-ups, and existing small businesses, this one is for you!
 

International Women's Day is Saturday
 

March is Women's History Month

Celebrating the strength, resilience, and achievements of women throughout history. Here's to the trailblazers, the change-makers, and the everyday women who inspire us all. 
 
Spring Ahead on Sunday

Sincerely,

Eleni Kavros DeGraw
State Representative

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