On behalf of our coalition members and our co-hosts, which included the Chamber Leadership Cabinet, the Chamber Insurance Trust and AT&T, Jobs for Connecticut Now would like to formally thank the six gubernatorial candidates for attending yesterday’s gubernatorial forum at the Connecticut Business Expo.  Michael Fedele, Thomas Foley, Oz Griebel, Ned Lamont, Dan Malloy, and Tom Marsh, all provided an engaging and meaningful discussion about the economic and business issues facing the state of Connecticut and we are immensely grateful to all of them for their time.   Additionally, had it not been for the expert moderation of CNBC’s Ron Insana, we would not have had as quality a program that was delivered to our audience. 

The forum was an incredible opportunity for the candidates to discuss their ideas on job creation and closing the state’s massive budget gap as the race for Connecticut’s next executive office holder heats up.   It was clear, that the goals of the candidates are quite similar: lower state spending, attract and nurture more small businesses, and emphasize new industries to end the twenty-year lull in job creation in Connecticut.  The means, however, is where the debate lies.

For some of the candidates, the key to overcoming these economic challenges lie within the state.  Their idea is to reduce state spending, which will in turn lower taxes.  They also, want to increase funding for education, where the work force stems from, in order to keep more people in the state, and which wouldcreate a higher tax revenue, as there would be more taxpayers, without raising taxes. The internal approach also calls for incentives for small business, like tax credits for adding employees, and give tax credits to encourage research and development in newer industries. Another approach for job creation is to look outside the state to attract new business, rather than build on what already exists.  It seems that some of the candidates believe that attracting new business would be more profitable than working with what the state already has.  

We believe the final answer will be a combination of both an internal and external model.  But most importantly, we saw that all of the candidates agree that anti-business legislation is a major factor in the job creation issue. The candidates share many similarities when it comes to solving the job creation deficit, but it will be their differences that set them apart as the race draws closer.  For this race, a candidate will have to create innovative ideas to woo the people and convince them that he really can change the present and past problems we face with job creation and create a new opportunistic outlook for Connecticut’s business climate for future generations. 

Again, we thank all of the candidates, our co-hosts, and Mr. Insana for their participation.  And to all of those who were able to attend, we thank them for their support and engagement as well.

The New Britain Herald: “Six candidates for governor shared their ideas for moving Connecticut out of its economic slough of despondency.”

The Hartford Courant: “Moderator Ron Insana, a well-known television personality, looked at the panel of six white, middle-aged men who were wearing similar business suits and described them as ‘this wildly diverse group of gubernatorial candidates.’”

WTNH Channel 8: “All of the candidates for Governor attended a forum on the economy and job growth Thursday afternoon.”

CTNewsJunkie: “The gubernatorial forum was sponsored by a business organization called “Jobs for Connecticut Now.” The event … included a lot of consensus on how to improve Connecticut’s economy and business climate.”

Connecticut Mirror: “Differences were in soft focus on stage at the Connecticut Convention Center, where CNBC’s Ron Insana led a 60-minute discussion about jobs and the economy.”

Waterbury Republican American:  “The event, which was moderated by CNBC senior analyst Ron Insana, attracted about 200 business people to hear the candidates discuss the ‘most pressing issues’ facing the state’s business community.”

NBC Connecticut: “The issue for voters and the audience of business people at the Thursday afternoon forum, organized by a group called Jobs for Connecticut Now, [was] which candidate will spur employment.”

All six of the candidates participating in this August’s primaries have now confirmed their attendance.  The candidates include: Michael Fedele, Thomas Foley, Oz Griebel, Ned Lamont, Dan Malloy, and Tom Marsh.  During the forum Mr. Insana will ask candidates to discuss their views on issues impacting economic development in the state and to bring forth ideas on how Connecticut can create more jobs for its residents and attract new business to the state.

Those wishing to attend must have a ticket to enter the luncheon.  Tickets can still be purchased through the Connecticut Business Expo. Click here to secure your seat for a very important discussion about Connecticut’s future!

Thursday, June 10, 2010

11:30 am – 2:30 pm

CT Convention Center

100 Columbus Blvd, Hartford, CT

Join us for an exclusive luncheon for business leaders at the Connecticut Business Expo, hosted by the Chamber Leadership Cabinet, Jobs for Connecticut Now and Chamber Insurance Trust and sponsored by AT&T. 

The luncheon will feature keynote speaker Ron Insana, a CNBC senior analyst and commentator who provides his perspective on important business stories. Ron is the author of three books Trendwatching: Don’t Be Fooled by the Next Investment Fad, Mania, or Bubble, Traders’ Tales and The Message of the Markets.

As part of the program, Ron will also moderate an economic development and job creation panel discussion featuring candidates for governor.

For more information or reservations, please contact Jeff VanTienen, Director of Chamber Relations at (800) 953-4467 or jvantienen@cfr-cit.com. Please take a

moment to stop by our booths to get information on our value added programs available to chamber members.

JCN and CBIA are opposed to SB 417 because it imposes additional rules on a business community already burdened with overly proscriptive and costly state regulations. The proposed legislation will present additional impediments to a company’s ability to run its business efficiently and effectively.

The state should not dictate where a company must conduct its operations.  Rather, officials should work to create an atmosphere conducive to business growth, free from onerous regulation and needless intervention in the operations of tax-paying businesses.   When allowed to focus on these issues, companies can do what they do best: sustain and create well-paying jobs for Connecticut residents.  We urge members of the legislature to reject this proposal immediately and focus their attention on innovative ways to bring more commerce to Connecticut — not drive it away.

Jobs for Connecticut Now is a project of Jobs For New England Now, Inc., a non-profit coalition of citizens, businesses, pro-business groups and non-profit organizations determined to encourage economic growth and prosperity for communities across the greater New England region.

It’s difficult to boost the economy, create jobs and increase overall resident morale when one of the state’s largest private employers is advising investment analysts and their clients to run far, far away from Connecticut and its ever-increasing cost of doing business.  Although many in the area may suffer from unemployment or cut wages, Bull encourages company owners and policymakers alike to come together to tackle the problems and create solutions that are beneficial to all.

According to Bull, “It won’t stop until all voters demand that legislators and public officials ask why Connecticut isn’t a good place to create and retain jobs and, more importantly, do something to reverse that.” Now is the time for our state’s residents to be asking policymakers what they have done to make Connecticut a better place for business.

Read more about Stephen’s opinion here.

Companies like UTC don’t want to lay off Connecticut workers and move their operation to other parts of the country or to places like China and Poland.  But in many cases, leaving for greener pastures is the only way to survive.  It’s long overdue that our state’s decision makers realize that anti-business, anti-growth policies equate to job loss in Connecticut.

Green attended a forum on housing and the economy in Hartford yesterday, sponsored by the Partnership for Strong Communities, a group working to build partnerships between nonprofit housing groups and the business community.  The event was also attended by two gubernatorial candidates — Mary Glassman and Oz Griebel.  Most notably, several business voices in Connecticut lamented the state’s loss of jobs, educated workers and investment.

Connecticut should be working to create a business environment that will foster growth, development and investment in new business, a good first step on the road to economic recovery. 

The full post is available here.