The Governor’s $516M proposal is the result of his Jobs Tour, during which he visited numerous businesses around the state. The proposal addresses five important areas of concern to the business community:

1. Small Business Growth
2. Improvement of the Regulatory Environment
3. Support for Innovation
4. Workforce Development
5. Enhancement of Economic Development

Jobs for Connecticut Now has been advocating for changes and advancements in all five of these areas for some time. We also called for a more cooperative spirit among business, labor and government in addressing these issues. The Governor has taken a leadership role in creating a more cooperative effort in dealing with Connecticut’s jobs crisis and chronic economic malaise.

But, ultimately, the Governor needs the cooperation of the legislature. Tomorrow’s special session presents a unique opportunity for you and your colleagues to step up and help find solutions to the ongoing jobs crisis. It is our hope that you show an understanding of what it takes to keep Connecticut “open for business” as the governor declared last winter.

In order to accomplish this, we must put aside partisan politics. This special session seems to be a sign that legislature truly understands what it will take to get Connecticut back on track: a forward thinking, progressive attitude regarding business development on the part of the legislature.

One special legislative session will not cure all the ills of the current jobs crisis. But, it is a great step forward.

Economic growth and job development must continue to be the number one priority.  The current economic conditions in Connecticut did not begin with the current global economic crisis, or with the current Administration or legislature; our state had been losing jobs for decades.  Job and economic growth will require the continued cooperation, work, focus and vision of the Governor, the legislature and the business community.

• Jepsen said that after spending the last three months in meetings he had initiated with various corporate officials, he was determined to help “correct” the perception that Connecticut is a bad place to do business.
• Jepsen during the hourlong interview also criticized the state’s economic development efforts, saying they have been ineffective and, in some cases, antagonistic to business.
• [Jepsen said] “I’m less prone to litigate, I’m more into problem-solving…Before we go after somebody, we want to have a conversation.”

These comments are a breath of fresh air from the harsh and cynical views that have become all too common from some of our state leaders over the past decade.   As we have said before, the current business environment in the state has become far too grim to spur economic development and job growth in the state.   Connecticut has become known as a state that looks to penalize companies before it helps them.  It’s no wonder why companies are choosing to either open up their doors elsewhere, or shut them down completely and take their jobs with them.

Therefore, the comments from Mr. Jepsen, were a welcome sign to members of the business community who are looking for a region that can provide them an opportunity to become profitable and provide more positions of employment to the hardworking residents of the state.   Companies are not looking for a free-ride, or a pass on measures that keep the public safe.  They are looking for a region that will allow them to succeed and grow their business.  Whether Mr. Jepsen is our next attorney general is not the point, but whether others will recognize that our state policymakers need to be more welcoming to our business community and willing to work with them is of the utmost importance.

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.”

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.”

To see the full press release from the White House, click here.

To see the relevant fact sheets click here.

Manufacturing in Connecticut lost 15,700 jobs in 2009.

The 2010 Survey of Eastern Connecticut Businesses also indicates that nearly half the businesses in the region also have reduced employee wages and benefits.

To see the full article and comments from JNEN’s co-chair, Tony Sheridan, click here.

The 2010 Survey of Eastern Connecticut Businesses also indicates that nearly half the businesses in the region also have reduced employee wages and benefits.

To see the full article and comments from JNEN’s co-chair, Tony Sheridan, click here.