Developments at the State Capitol and state regulatory agencies

Friday, Jan. 15, 2010

SAVING CONNECTICUT JOBS

CBIA's 2010 Agenda for Restoring Business Confidence and Economic Growth

It's Time for Action

Priorities for Connecticut

Download complete Agenda (PDF)

"Do vs. Don't"
The Issues and Solutions:

• State Spending & Taxes
• Health Care Reform
• Labor & Employment
• Education & Workforce Development
• Energy & Technology
• Environment & Land Use
• Transportation

Join the fight!

Friday, Dec. 11, 2009

Take action now:

• U.S. Senate health care reform possible, but still too costly for economy

Crisis in Connecticut's economy:

• Special session: Will lawmakers tacklethe budget deficit?
• Manufacturers: Help us reignite state's economy
• What do you think about state's new economic plan?
• Streamlining group seeks business ideas
• Business credit lifeline shrinking in state

Outlook on your business costs:

• DEP wants costly new industrial stormwater requirements
• State seeking changes in UC tax structure (PDF White paper)
• Congress looking at manylabor issues
• Why are health care costs so high?

Tuesday, Nov. 17,2009

Jesmin Basanti has 'This Week at CBIA'

Top stories:

New budget gap opens as state revenues, jobs drop

Gov. Rell will not seek reelection

State's unemployment Trust Fund runs out

DEP proposing to restrict water usage, increase costs

State lags in U.S. education scorecard

Manufacturers reeling from recession; Dec. 2 conference set

Health care reform in U.S. Senate after House OKs 'public option'

Federal paid sick leave mandate proposed by Dodd

President signs NOL tax relief

Monday, Oct. 19

What's happening 'This Week at CBIA'  (60-second Video highlights)

Gov. Rell:  To speak at CBIA's Annual Meeting on Oct. 28  

We want YOU: Tell us what you think about Connecticut's top issues

International markets: How to get involved; the pros and cons (Program Oct. 20)

Better your business: What CBIA can do for you  (Video)

Friday, Oct. 16, 2009 

Is the new state budget already treading water?
Comptroller warns of $500 million gap this year 

We want you! (To tell us what you think)
We're hosting open forums across the state to get your input 

Health care reform: How high the cost?
Study shows premium costs to rise--a lot

Gov. Rell to speak at CBIA Annual Meeting
Oct. 28 in Hartford

Your business and economy:

Businesses must be part of 'clean energy future,' says EPA official
Push is on to achieve president's vision

Taxing "wealthy" small businesses has backfired for states
Costing loss of jobs, business investment Legislature to address future of state's campaign finance law

Property tax workshop set for Oct. 21

September 28, 2009

State budget: 

• Budget work not finished yet
  Lawmakers likely back this week at the Capitol.  

Your business and workforce:

• New state laws and fees in effect Oct. 1
• State's UC, workers' comp benefits to rise
• Prevailing wage mandated for stimulus projects
• Federal 'card check' bill still on deck

Our economy:

• How to (re)grow Connecticut's economy
  DECD unveils new strategic plan; another study on the way.

• News media say 'listen to businesses'
  Reaction to new statewide poll is surprising, positive.

Air regulations:

• Regional pact may trump public input
  If Connecticut signs on, new standards could bypass public process.

Health care:

• Changing landscape of reform: Confused yet?
  A look at current federal proposals and how we got there.

Friday, Aug. 7, 2009

State budget: More talks, but progress slow

July has turned to August: Negotiations still going on.

Federal laws: August recess airs hottest topics

Here are the three top issues in Congress that could affect all Connecticut businesses.

• CBIA's Kia Murrell talks about the federal issues

Energy: Electricity marketplace growing in CT

Despite efforts in legislature last year to cut off marketplace, more consumers participating.

Economy: Good news, bad news for CT

CBIA's Economist Pete Gioia analyzes the latest data.

Friday, July 10, 2009

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

Unimpressive scorecard for General Assembly
Lost chance to improve economy, help save and create jobs

• Special session: Democrats' budget, other proposals approved
  Budget still to be resolved; lawmakers take care of some other business
• New laws include two that would bring huge expansion of state government
  Massive government intrusion into health care could begin July 1
• Business-related legislation in 2009 (download PDF)
  What passed and how it could affect business community

CBIA's Government Affairs Report

Friday, May 22, 2009

Legislators not focused on the economy, despite deepening crisis
Another steep drop in employment shows urgent need to help economy grow

Connecticut needs real health care reform, not bigger-government schemes
House passes measures that will leave taxpayers with a much bigger risk, tab

Senate passes anti-employer, anti-communication bill 
Just when employees need information, lawmakers to shut the door

Paid sick leave mandate in House
Curiously, lawmakers said it was too costly for the state, but not for employers 

DEP continues to push for more enforcement authority
Want to be be able to penalize companies for $100,000 arbitrarily

Tax credits work: The way to grow a healthy, expanding economy
Lawmakers have relied on tax credits to build Connecticut

Prevailing wage law expanded in House proposal
Would discourage employers from trying to do business with the state

Proposal to hike workers' comp costs for employers
Would force employers to pay part of employee's legal fees

Gov. Rell signs law protecting small businesses
CBIA helped promote measure counting the cost of regulations

Deadline approaches for government-streamlining group

Energy efficiency funds restored

Status Report of Business-related Legislation (PDF file)

Friday, May 15, 2009

Week ahead 5/15/09

Week in Review

Friday, May 8, 2009

Week ahead 5/11/09

Week in Review

Poll: Residents against tax increases that will harm employers, cost jobs
Worried about jobs, families are cutting back and want the state to do the same

Actions not connecting with talk on reducing health care costs
Lawmakers overlooking the costs of adding special health coverage mandates

State budget hole deepens to $1.3 billion--this year alone
Recession slowing tax revenues of all kinds

Too-costly paid sick leave mandate up for next committee vote
Employers say the mandate will affect other employee benefits

Lawmakers to study major health care proposal
The called-for study already assumes the idea will be adopted

Disability insurance proposal rejected by committee
Would have allowed employees to collect twice for same disability

Little to gain, much to risk in state power authority idea
Proposal to expand government covers energy areas already being handled well in Connecticut

Smart-growth proposal moves ahead

Update on public hearings: Transportation and government streamlining

Connecticut manufacturers to showcase at Capitol on May 13
Will show the vitality and fun of manufacturing in Connecticut

Status Report of Business-related Legislation (PDF file)

Friday, May 1, 2009 Week in Review Week ahead 5/4/09   Anti-employer proposals get the OK from more legislative committees Will mandate paid sick leave, and restrict workplace communications with employees By design, Connecticut's economy has grown with tax credits State legislators adopted the credits--and they've worked MIT expert backs individual mandate in health care reform Says it has helped reduce ranks of uninsured in Mass. Proposal 'amps up' size and cost of state government Will push the state into costly and unfamiliar territory--the energy marketplace DEP enforcement measure needs tightening The proposal could still affect those who unknowingly violate law Businesses' energy choice could be taken away Lawmakers introduce a proposal that would repeal the ability of small businesses to choose supplier Small-biz regulatory burden to get lighter Lawmakers approve proposal to bring positive changes; it's now awaiting the governor's signature Disability insurance proposal to bring long-term costs Would allow employees to collect two payments simultaneously Streamlining group gets ideas to 'lean on' Businesses bring good ideas to commission's public hearings Status Report of Business-related Legislation (PDF file) Upcoming events: Furloughs as a Cost-Saving Strategy  Connecticut Economic Update: Where Are We Now? Where Are We Heading? Connecticut Business Tax Conference CBIA's Annual HR Conference Sustainability Conference

Top stories from the State Capitol Friday, April 24, 2009 Paid sick leave: Costly mandate to be voted on by committee It's certain: Tax proposals will cost IT jobs, weaken state's competitiveness Agreed: Unions, governor say OK to concessions; will save taxpayers millions Good advice: Don't start another fiscal crisis while solving this one, say economists Healthy choice: 'We want real health care reform, not expensive state plan,' say chambers Deceptive: Bill restricting employer-employee communications moving quickly, quietly Recharged: More funds are reopening business energy programs Participate: Streamlining group to hold public hearings Recap:  CBIA's Weekly Capitol Review / Looking ahead to next week

Friday, April 17, 2009 CBIA's Weekly Capitol Review About the state's fiscal crisis: Tax proposals land direct hit on Connecticut's growth industries Budget talks start: Will state spending be cut?  Extra: CBIA audio commentary on budget proposals State says steep cost for business tax proposal Job losses continue About workplace laws and benefits: Committee strikes blow to employers' free speech  Extra: CBIA video report on 'captive audience' proposal Decision time approaching on ways to reform health care Proposal to nix Social Security disability offsets Downloads: PDF files--if you can't open it, try upgrading your Adobe Reader ) (Updated) Status Report of Business Related Legislation

Thursday, April 9, 2009 Watch: The Weekly Capitol Review and Look Ahead

Top stories this week: Tax proposals creating doubts about Connecticut in business community State 'Power Authority' will cost taxpayers, expand government  House OKs bill to lighten small-biz regulatory burden New way found to increase employers' workers' comp costs Major health care proposal would put state in deeper fiscal hole Trial bar pushing to expand statute of limitations Credit conditions improving Statecost: State should turn to cost-effective social services through nonprofits Download and share: The following are PDF files. (If you can't open them, try upgrading your Adobe Reader ) (Updated) Status Report of Business Related Legislation CBIA's new print ad: "Saving Jobs"

Friday, April 3, 2009

Committees' tax and spending plan would jeopardize jobs, weaken state's economy Two-year budget relies on significant tax increases during tough economic times. Connecticut business leaders rally in D.C. against card check Go to nation's capital to speak out against union-organizing bill. Graying population means declining state tax base Connecticut to become 9th-oldest state in U.S. CBIA's Week in Review with Joe Brennan/ The Week Ahead Will brownfield legislation move forward in Assembly this year? State needs to change perspective and encourage developers. Committee votes to reform high-school graduation standards Proposal places greater emphasis on core academic skills. Stimulus funds for diesel cleanups State DEP offering help with application process

CBIA's Status Report of Business-related Legislation (PDF file)

Friday, March 27, 2009

Friday, March 20, 2009

Weekly Updates from CBIA's Bonnie Stewart:

• The week in review / Coming up next week

Top stories:

• Taxes: Will Connecticut tax its way into a deeper recession?
• Changes to sales and use taxes will change Connecticut
• Understanding the value of tax credits
• Health care: Good ideas in Public Health Committee
  Paid sick leave: Big price tag for state, municipalities

Also this week:

• Transportation
  Stimulus dollars here, projects selected, tolls discussed
• Energy
  Two good proposals, and one not so, approved
• Education
  Higher Education aims for 'green-jobs' future
• Workers' comp
  State workers' comp fund would compete with healthy market
• State budget
  Government streamlining group begins work

Follow the proposals:

CBIA's Status Report of business-related proposals (PDF)

Friday, March 13, 2009

Weekly Capitol Update from CBIA's Bonnie Stewart

Top stories:

• Survival not a certainty for many Connecticut businesses
• A closer look at three health care reform proposals
• Labor Committee again approves job-stopping bills

Also this week:

• Environment
  DEP continues with overly aggressive agenda
• Card check
  Federal 'card check' introduced, state proposal advances
• Education
  Connecticut needs to join the movement to reform schools
• Economy
  Business-friendly proposals advance from Commerce Committee
• Energy
  Energy proposals could shift, not reduce, costs
• Health care
  Positive and negative measures approved in Insurance

Follow the proposals:

• CBIA's Status Report of business-related proposals (PDF)

Friday, March 6, 2009

5/21/09 - CBIA's Eric Brown on new bill signed by the governor that helps protect small businesses

5/21/09 -CBIA's Eric George on health care reform

5/21/09 Transportation Safety Board meeting on tolling recommendations

5/12/09 - Kia Murrell on yesterday’s action in the Appropriations Committee on the paid sick leave bill.

4/29/09 - Eric George on Health First CT Authority meeting

4/16/09 Captive Audience Bill passes Judiciary Committee - Kia Murrell explains why it's bad for business

Eric George on business-friendly health care proposals 3/16/09

Kia Murrell on efforts opposing mandatory paid sick leave 2/24/09

Kevin Hennessy - why new energy bills are problematic 2/24/09

Jesmin Basanti on Commerce Committee 401(k) bill 2/24/09

Joe Brennan talks about the Governor's budget address 2/4/09

SECURING CONNECTICUT'S ECONOMIC FUTURE
GAP CBIA's 2009 Government Affairs Agenda for the legislative session