Labor Committee stockpiling anti-business proposals

(Feb. 15, 2008) The legislature’s Labor Committee continues to line up many proposals that will make it much harder and more costly to do business in Connecticut.

This week, the committee heard concepts for proposals that would likely increase workers’ compensation costs; expand eligibility for unemployment compensation; and weaken employers’ ability to manage their employees and operations most effectively.

Although proposal language is not yet available for all of the concepts, many of the committee’s new bills on file are consistent with previous years’ attempts to erode the state’s business climate. The Government Affairs Report next week will have more complete information about the committee’s proposals.

The committee must finalize and approve bills by March 13 if the measures are to proceed further in the legislative process.

Contrast in approach
Policymakers on both sides of the political aisle have been expressing concern about the health of Connecticut’s economy and its ability to create and retain good jobs.

In fact, each of the four major caucuses in the legislature began the session by calling for new efforts to stimulate economic growth and job creation.

Creating and maintaing jobs depends on a healthy business climate and the confidence of employers that Connecticut is a good place to locate and grow their companies.

Yet the Labor Committee continues to erode the state’s business climate with bills essentially penalizing employers.

CBIA continues to urge lawmakers to reject any efforts to increase the already high costs of doing business in Connecticut or increase employers’ already steep administrative burdens.

For more information, contact CBIA’s Kia Murrell at 860-244-1931 or kia.murrell@cbia.com.