Eli's Priorities
Eli chairing a Board of Alders Education Committee meeting
Public Education
Connecticut's K-12 education system underfunds our schools and puts pressure on property taxes across the state. We need reform and new investment so that every student, in every neighborhood in the state, has access to great schools. More transparency from Boards of Education would help build trust around budgeting. Significant additional public investment is needed so that families can afford pre-k to college and all kids have the chance to reach their full potential.
Eli rallying with Teamsters on strike
Economic Opportunity
To lift up families across Connecticut, we need to invest in our schools and higher ed, small business development, and in job training and placement programs. Our city and state's growth must benefit all our residents. We can do that by providing more support for families, enacting strong labor protections, and making our tax code more fair by raising taxes on the wealthy. We also need to pass fair scheduling practices for employees, support striking workers, and block non-compete agreements.
Eli testifying for more affordable housing investment at the state capitol
Affordable Housing
Connecticut needs to build more affordable housing in every town and city, so that families can stay in their communities and find new opportunities across our state. We should also provide more municipal aid, homeownership support, and an expanded property tax credit to keep housing costs down. Tenants need new just cause eviction protections, organizing rights, and access to counsel. Encouraging transit oriented development, putting more funding into CMDA, and securing new investments in homeless services are also crucial for building an affordable future for our state.
Eli volunteering for the Vaccinate Fair Haven effort during COVID
Immigrant Protections
We need to fight back against the Trump administration’s cruel campaign to terrorize our immigrant neighbors. We must do everything we legally can to block federal agents from wearing masks and detaining people without ID or a warrant. We should enact the state’s sensitive locations policy into law and provide funding for more immigration lawyers so people can safely and adequately exercise their rights. The state should also work to prevent the weaponization of the Connecticut National Guard.
Eli standing with victims of gun violence
Neighborhood Safety
Keeping every resident safe is the government's most important job. We must stop gun violence by funding violence intervention programs and police departments, especially to boost shooting investigations. With more resources, cities and towns can increase walking and biking beats, get guns off the streets, and address the root causes of violence. We also need to build safer streets—especially on our state roads—to calm traffic and protect people however they get around. Additionally, we should tackle blight and the spread of vape shops, especially those caught selling narcotics.
Eli presenting CT Voices for Children's legislative agenda
Health Care
Health care should be a human right, but costs continue to rise and Trump's cuts to Affordable Care Act subsidies are hurting thousands of Connecticut families. We need to create a state public option, help teachers and other municipal employees access the Connecticut Partnership Plan 2.0, and increase Medicaid reimbursement rates so all families can access quality care. Additionally, more of the state's $500 million emergency relief fund should be used to provide insurance premium support and to backstop SNAP and WIC to keep residents healthy during this difficult moment.
Eli visiting Mauro Sheridan for Kindness Month to read to students
Child Care
Connecticut should continue to build on the $300 million Early Childhood Education Endowment by making additional investments and expanding support for families with young kids. We also need to raise wages and address the barriers and costs that hurt child care providers. By ensuring the child care sector provides more opportunities for providers, we can expand the number of quality, affordable ECE slots in our state.
Eli celebrating efforts to secure millions of dollars in state funding for Chapel St
92nd District Investments
Our district deserves new focus and funding for traffic calming on our many sections of state road (especially Whalley Ave, Amity Rd, Ella T. Grasso Blvd, Fitch, Dayton, and Forest Rd). We should explore opportunities to bring a new community center to our side of town, and we should continue to fill in the Route 34 corridor with housing, small businesses, and safer streets. We also need to continue supporting the arts, invest in our incredible parks, and make sure the facilities at Hillhouse, and all our schools, meet the standard our students deserve.
Eli announcing a grant for a new mini-park
Sustainability and Climate
To protect our environment and keep our community healthy, we need to build more renewable energy, improve our buses and trains, and invest in our parks. With utility bills in Connecticut sky-high, we need the capacity to generate and transmit more clean electricity. Building housing in smart locations will help cut down on emissions and save families money on transportation.
Technology
With the rapid expansion of AI, we need to pass new laws to protect consumers and prevent dangerous uses of this technology. We also need to address the spread of online gambling, e-cigs and vaping products, and harmful social media practices. Sensible regulations in each of these areas will keep people safe, especially our youth.
Eli championing new vape shop regulations