Government Issues and Politics
Insurance and Employee Benefits
Business and Economic Info
Human Resources and Safety
Education Policy and Practice
Training and Consulting Services
Welcome to CBIA's Training and Consulting site!
Surveys Past Releases News Articles CBIA in the News Staff Bios and Pictures Contacts

 

Welcome to the CBIA Newsroom

The Connecticut Business and Industry Association (CBIA) Newsroom Web site gives you access to the latest information regarding CBIA’s positions on issues affecting Connecticut businesses and the state economy. The “CBIA Newsroom” contains news releases and advisories, a listing of upcoming events, articles, state capital news, surveys, staff bios and pictures. CBIA is the nation's largest statewide business organization, with 10,000 member companies.


View CBIA's TV Commercial

What's New at CBIA

 

For Immediate Release
June 24, 2008

 

 

ECONOMIC WOES HITTING NATIONAL CREDIT LENDING HARDER THAN CONNECTICUT'S
But U.S. credit crunch starting to affect Connecticut's credit market

 

Connecticut businesses are starting to feel the negative effects of the national economic slowdown, but there are strong indications that the state is outperforming the national economy in key areas such as exports. Still, given the higher energy prices, weaker measures of consumer and business confidence, and the prospect of higher rates of inflation, there is legitimate concern about a full-blown national recession and the possibility of a downturn in business confidence, which would likely soften business lending in Connecticut in the coming months.

Those are among the findings of the second-quarter Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA)/TD Banknorth Credit Survey, released today.

 

For Immediate Release
June 17, 2008

 

 

CONNECTICUT COMPANIES GOING GREEN TO CUT COSTS AND INCREASE BUSINESS EFFICIENCY AND SAVINGS

CBIA releases second annual Sustainability and Connecticut Business Survey

 

In today's tough economic climate, companies are struggling with increased business costs and are looking for ways to increase efficiency and savings. The majority of Connecticut companies are focusing on eliminating waste, conserving energy and making better use of resources by actively adopting or changing sustainability policies—or “going green.”

Those are some of the key findings of the Connecticut Business & Industry Association's (CBIA) 2008 Sustainability and Connecticut Business Survey. The second annual survey found that Connecticut companies are dedicated to good corporate citizenship and community involvement and are looking for ways to remain environmentally sound, socially responsible and financially sensible. In the past year, the number of companies adopting green business practices has increased by 12 percentage points, from 47 percent to 59 percent.

 

For Immediate Release
June 13, 2008

BUSINESS COMMUNITY PRAISES GOVERNOR'S VETO OF THE
STATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH CARE PURCHASING PLAN
Bill would have been costly for Connecticut taxpayers

 

The Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) applauds Governor Rell for vetoing the proposal to expand the state employee health care purchasing plan.  The bill would have opened the state employee health plan to municipalities and small businesses in a way that would not save them money, and would have been costly for Connecticut taxpayers.

"Gov. Rell took a careful look at the proposal, weighed the illusory savings against the economic realities of the bill, and wisely vetoed the measure,” said John R. Rathgeber, CBIA president and CEO.  “She recognized that this plan would not save small business owners and municipalities money and could potentially cost taxpayers millions of dollars.”

 

CBIA At The Capitol

These are risky times for Connecticut’s economy. Good public policy decisions can hasten Connecticut’s economic recovery, produce and preserve jobs, and enhance the state’s competitiveness. CBIA’s activities on business related bills and hearings at the state capitol will be posted below. For more information regarding state government issues please contact Nancy Andrews, Media Relations Manager, at 860-244-1957.

A BLUEPRINT FOR A HEALTHY CONNECTICUT ECONOMY

CBIA’s 2008 Government Affairs Program

 

CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS AND THE BUSINESS COMMUNITY HAVE THE SAME CONCERNS, ACCORDING TO A NEW CBIA/ZOGBY POLL
Improve current health care system and reject a state takeover

 

VIEW COMMON SENSE HEALTH CARE REFORM VIDEO

Developments at the State Capitol and state regulatory agencies

ADVANCED PLACEMENT (AP) STUDENTS EARN HIGHER COLLEGE GRADES AND GRADUATE FROM COLLEGE AT HIGHER RATES THAN THEIR PEERS 1

 

Eighty-one percent of Connecticut 's high school graduates enter college 2

  • Only 28 percent take advantage of AP classes in high school

Seventy-five percent of U.S. high school graduates enter college 3

  • About half of all college freshman take at least one remedial course 4
  • Remedial courses in college cost taxpayers an estimated $1 billion a year 5

Connecticut 's public high schools have seen growth in AP Exam participation and success 6

  • 28 percent of Connecticut 's public high school class of 2007 took at least one AP Exam, compared with 25 percent nationally

But there is a gap between white and minority students 7

  • Number of Connecticut students who took at least one AP Exam:
Year
Total
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
2007
10,092
7,532
584
680
2006
9,272
6,898
464
665
2002
6,989
5,494
320
365

Earning a 3 or higher on an AP Exam is one of the best predictors of college performance 8

  • In 2007, more than 20 percent of Connecticut students graduated from high school having earned an AP exam grade of 3 or higher.

But there is a gap between white and minority students in Connecticut 9

  • Number of Connecticut students who earned a 3 or higher on at least one AP Exam:
Year
Total
White
Black/African American
Hispanic/Latino
2007
7,325
5,810
161
430
2006
6,818
5,308
127
466
2002
5,142
4,179
109
276

 

1 - University of California at Berkley, the National Center for Educational Accountability and the University of Texas at Austin.

2 - Connecticut Department of Education, ED540 Graduating Class Report, June 2007.

3 - Katie haycock “Closing the Achievement Gap” Educational Leadership (2001) Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development.

4 - “Preparing Students for Success in College,” Policy Matters (2005), American Association of State Colleges and Universities.

5- “Paying Double: Inadequate High School and Community College Remediation,” Alliance for Excellent Education (August 2006).

6 - College Board's AP Report to the Nation (Feb. 2008).

7 - College Board's AP Report to the Nation (Feb. 2008).

8 - Saul Geiser and Veronica Santelices, “The Role of Advanced Placement and Honors Courses in College Admissions” (2004), Center for Studies in Higher Education, University of California : Berkeley.

9 - College Board's AP Report to the Nation (Feb. 2008).

 

CBIA Events

 

How to Manage a Multigenerational Workplace
Thursday, July 24, 2008
8:30 a.m. to noon
Crowne Plaza, Cromwell

Effectively Controlling Energy Costs in Your Family Business
August 6, 2008
The Holiday Inn, North Haven


The Connecticut Economy 2008
Sept. 4, 2008
Rocky Hill Marriott

 

Fairfield County Economic Outlook
Sept. 9, 2008
University of Connecticut - Stamford Campus
Stamford, Conn.

 

2009 Economic Summit & Outlook

Jan. 7, 2009
Marriott Hartford Downtown, Hartford

 

(back to top)

Recent News Releases

6/23/08

ECONOMIC WOES HITTING NATIONAL CREDIT LENDING HARDER THAN CONNECTICUT'S
But U.S. credit crunch starting to affect Connecticut's credit market

6/19/08

CBIA SEMINAR TEACHES BUSINESSES HOW TO CONTROL RISING ENERGY COSTS

6/17/08

CONNECTICUT COMPANIES GOING GREEN TO CUT COSTS AND INCREASE BUSINESS EFFICIENCY AND SAVINGS

CBIA releases second annual Sustainability and Connecticut Business Survey

6/13/08

BUSINESS COMMUNITY PRAISES GOVERNOR'S VETO OF THE
STATE EMPLOYEE HEALTH CARE PURCHASING PLAN
Bill would have been costly for Connecticut taxpayers

 

[complete list of past News Releases]