Jobs For Connecticut Now

That’s the “Today’s Buzz” poll question in the Hartford Courant.  The response so far: three-quarters of those voting answered in the negative.  This echoes what Jobs for New England Now co-chair Stephen Bull said in an op-ed published in the Hartford Business Journal recently.  The title, “Friendlier Business Climate Needed,” was prophetic.

The Courant poll and accompanying comments illustrate the obstacles facing businesspeople in the state today.  Simply put, they don’t feel welcome in Connecticut.  Chalk it up to various problems – high tax burden, hostility to business by some elected leaders, a willingness by some legislators to ram though requirements such as mandatory health insurance that will further squeeze small businesses.  They are evidence of a systemic bias against business, which is hardly the prescription for growth in this economy.

Some other states are waging aggressive campaigns to woo businesses to relocate. Connecticut needs to show that it can compete to attract the kinds of companies that will grow the economy.   Unless there is a change in the atmosphere in Hartford, we can expect to see a continuation of the attitude reflected in the poll.