In this week’s episode, host Ryan Coonerty sits down with Connecticut Representative Eleni Kavros DeGraw. They discuss her work to reduce hunger in her state, pass landmark legislation to make housing more affordable despite pushback, and advance Connecticut’s first criminal justice model for trauma-informed engagement with survivors of sexual assault. Kavros DeGraw also explains how her background as a journalist and English major has prepared her for politics and what motivates her to continue her work. Tune in to learn more from this engaging conversation and how Kavros DeGraw is shaping a people-first agenda for Connecticut.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• [02:18] Recap of the recent legislative session and what she is currently focused on.

• [03:19] Explanation of the landmark housing bill, its provisions, and the politics behind it.

• [04:24] How the bill addresses the housing crisis and her goal for the next legislative session.

• [05:48] Hear about the adaptive reuse and mixed-use development projects underway.

• [07:07] Her unexpected path into public service and what she hopes to achieve.

• [09:13] Find out how her background as an English major prepared her for politics.

• [10:34] The motivation behind her focus on housing despite its political challenges.

• [12:10] Her strategy for communication and the value of one-on-one conversations.

• [14:33] Eleni’s Purple Alert project and how she is improving sexual assault investigations.

• [18:33] Discover how being a woman informs her work and influences policy debates.

• [20:45] Explore the challenges of finding common ground and bipartisan agreements.

• [22:07] Find out how the Trump administration is impacting Connecticut and its constituents.

• [24:57] What motivates her to continue in politics, and her goals for the next session.