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!

New York Times Op-Ed

By Bob Herbert

June 7, 2010

I know the president has a lot on his mind, but the No. 1 problem facing the U.S. continues to fester, and that problem is unemployment.

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.