Business Association:

Governor’s Plan ‘A Good Start’

HARTFORD — The Connecticut Business & Industry Association says Governor M. Jodi Rell’s State of the State address opening the 2010 legislative session was a good start toward moving Connecticut forward. The governor told legislators to focus on the economy, the state budget, and incentives that will help create jobs.

“We are pleased that there are incentives to help businesses create jobs, but it’s only a beginning,” said John Rathgeber, CBIA president and CEO. “Legislators must make reducing the size of government to eliminate the budget deficit their top priority. The deficit is the biggest impediment to investment and job creation in Connecticut.”

According to CBIA’s recent membership survey, 70 percent of businesses say the state is moving in the wrong direction and 68 percent of executives with businesses in the state say they would not expand here, but would do so outside of Connecticut.

“These are alarming statistics and should send a wake-up call to legislators,” said Mr Rathgeber.

“We need a business-friendly legislature, one that keeps Connecticut’s tax policies reliable and consistent so that businesses can invest and grow in the state.”

He added that businesspeople understand that unless Connecticut’s legislature addresses the budget deficit now, it will grow and lead to a new round of tax increases on the state’s businesses and citizens. And Mr Rathgeber believes as the national economy begins to grow, that threat is the most important hindrance to job creation in Connecticut.

Nearly 95,000 Connecticut residents have already lost their jobs. Unless legislators take action now to revive the state’s economy, Mr Rathgeber said, Connecticut will be unable to create the sustainable new jobs over the next decade that are critical to the future of Connecticut’s economy, its residents, and its businesses.

The business community is urging legislators to put aside their partisan politics and make the tough decisions needed to grow the state’s economy.

“Legislators must take steps this year and in the future to create fiscal policies that move the state in the right direction, welcoming businesses and creating jobs. Our future depends on it,” said Mr Rathgeber.