CBIA believes lawmakers should respond to these challenges by making economic growth and job creation their top priority for the 2007 General Assembly -- as they did in 2006. Our priorities also remain the same, reflecting the concerns of employers large and small throughout Connecticut:
- Make business costs more competitive
- Enhance the skills of our workforce
- Improve our energy and transportation infrastructures
We believe lawmakers should expand on last session's pro-growth agenda by taking a more strategic approach to economic development that will lead to sustainable growth. Strategic investments in infrastructure, workforce skills and technology can help make Connecticut a leader in innovation, a key to competitiveness in the global economy.
Connecticut’s economic challenges are well known and documented in many studies by CBIA, CERC and others. But by focusing on the opportunities those challenges present, Connecticut can be a leader in forging solutions that:
- Drive quality and innovation to reduce health care costs and increase access to quality health care.
- Focus education and job training systems on the skills needed for the 21st century economy to produce a competitive and adaptable workforce.
- Link economic development, affordable housing and transportation policy strategically, to make Connecticut a preeminent location for employers and employees.
Taking these and other actions, along with aggressively attacking the cost of doing business, would make Connecticut a national leader in transforming economic challenges into real solutions.
Using a strategic approach to economic development, lawmakers should adopt legislation that help job growth -- and reject proposals that won’t.CBIA is committed to working with both parties on these important issues.
Because Connecticut should always be a leading center of economic growth and innovation, and home of opportunity for businesses and individuals alike.
