Jobs For Connecticut Now

This morning, Jobs for New England Now co-chair Stephen Bull had an Op-Ed published in the Hartford Business Journal.  The piece, “Friendlier Business Climate Needed,” points out that businesses need flexibility to help rebuild the economy, and that policymakers should foster a business environment that will help to attract investors, support job growth and speed development.

Bull also points out that legislation like the recently-failed Paid Sick Leave bill, which would have required companies with 50 or more employees to provide one hour of paid sick leave for every 50 hours worked, will do more harm than good to businesses in Connecticut.  A one-size-fits-all policy mandating how businesses are run will rarely help companies survive through tough economic times.    

In order to maximize investment in Connecticut, legislators and regulators must provide greater opportunities for businesses.  According to Bull, creating more regulations and imposing burdensome fines is short-sighted; instead, we should focus on reducing red tape and working with businesses to spur innovation and competition.

A healthy business climate will help to build our next-generation infrastructure and provide a tax base that will fund schools, hospitals and essential community programs — which will in turn attract new businesses and residents for decades to come.  The full Op-Ed can be seen here.