AGENDA
2012 Priorities
Building on our strengths and encouraging pro-business policies, we can reach Connecticut’s immense economic potential.
Because we live in a global economy, we have to become more competitive every day. Creating a vibrant economy is the surest way to reach that objective and provide all of our residents with a wellspring of benefits.
CBIA’s 2012 Government Affairs Program outlines many next steps to a healthy, competitive business climate and revitalized economy. Our priorities:
[PDF: Download CBIA’s 2012 Government Affairs Program]
> Improve Fiscal Policy, Reduce Business Costs. Keep the size and cost of state government within taxpayers’ means by making it more efficient and controlling the growth of spending; leverage state tax policy to help drive economic growth.
> Prepare Our Future Workforce. Provide all young people with the education they need to be productive citizens and contributors to Connecticut’s economic vitality.
> Modernize Infrastructures. Modernize Connecticut’s transportation infrastructures through prioritized investments, and improve energy reliability in the state.
> Cut Red Tape. Reform regulatory policies to make it easier for businesses to invest, grow, and create jobs.
Moving Beyond the Jobs Session
Connecticut’s 2011 special session showed what can happen when there is a concentrated focus on jobs. The key is what happens next.
Reinventing Connecticut starts with reclaiming our heritage of innovation, ingenuity and entrepreneurship—with the understanding that:
> Our strengths far outweigh our challenges. Connecticut’s economic-base industries and skilled workforce are the envy of most states; we are home to some of the world’s most admired and innovative companies.
> Our employers are among the best in the United States. Wages, benefits, working conditions and opportunities for advancement here are unsurpassed.
> Our businesses and government can work better together. Being recognized as a business-friendly state will provide multiple benefits in jobs, community investments, and revenues to resource vital public services.
> Our business costs are a barrier to jobs. Adding new mandates or higher costs for employers should be off the table.