Federal watch
National rankings
Connecticut slips in Forbes rankings of best states for business
Quality of life highest note; business costs, economic climate and regulatory environment all rank much lower.
Health care
Employers' biggest challenge: communication
Ninety percent of employers that offer a consumer-directed health plan (CDHP) cited employee communication as their greatest challenge in introducing the CDHP and during the plan's first year, according to a new study. (BLR)
Big questions loom in SCHIP
Congressional efforts to create a bigger and more generous State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) could have repercussions for states beyond getting millions of kids to a doctor’s office.
Energy:
House OKs tax on oil companies
Declaring a new direction in energy policy, the House on Saturday approved $16 billion in taxes on oil companies, while providing tax breaks and incentives for renewable energy and conservation efforts. (AP)
The workplace:
Federal 'Fair Pay Act' overturns court, weakens employers
Bill would make employers more vulnerable to pay discrimination claims — possibly years after the discrimination allegedly occurred.
Workers want 'green,' but don't pitch in
Many workers shirk at conserving energy at work, such as turning off lights and computers when they are done using them.
State-by-state:
What legislatures accomplished in 2007
Business costs:
Connecticut’s business climate ranks 37th in Tax Foundation's 2007 State Business Tax Climate Index (Download PDF of summary)
Click here to read the full study.
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