For Immediate Release

May 6, 2009

CONNECTICUT RESIDENTS AGAINST TAX INCREASES THAT WILL HARM BUSINESS AND COST MORE JOBS
According to new Zogby poll, residents want state to cut spending

The ongoing recession is affecting an overwhelming number of Connecticut families through lost jobs and pay cuts, and residents believe that significant tax increases on businesses will lead to further job losses in the state. They think that the state must reduce spending in order to avoid these harmful tax hikes, and although they are satisfied with their current jobs, they are concerned with job security and their ability to pay their bills.

These are some of the key findings of a Zogby International Survey released today. The survey was commissioned by the Connecticut Business & Industry Association (CBIA) to gauge Connecticut residents’ response to the current fiscal crisis facing the state and guide policymakers on the issues most critical to their constituents—residents and businesses alike.

“More than 58,000 Connecticut residents have already lost their jobs, and we can’t afford to lose more,” said John R. Rathgeber, CBIA president and CEO. “Businesses are doing all they can to survive and keep their employees working, but legislative actions threaten to make it even harder for them. Lawmakers must understand that the actions they take at the capitol affect employers and their employees.”

“The late Massachusetts Senator Paul Tsongas said it best,” added Rathgeber. “You can’t be pro-jobs and anti-business.”

Connecticut residents understand the connection and are against tax increases that will harm businesses and cost jobs. The vast majority of respondents, 82 percent, said significant tax increases on employers will lead to further job losses in the state. Two-thirds oppose the spending and tax plans currently before the state legislature.

Residents understand that actions must be taken to help balance the budget, but nearly half (47 percent) said those actions should be additional cuts in state spending. One-third believe the solution is to do both, cut state spending and increase taxes. And the majority of respondents, 70 percent, believe that any tax increases should be temporary, ending after three years.

“It’s clear that employees and employers are facing some of the most difficult challenges in recent history. Lawmakers must work together to make our state government smaller, less expensive and more effective to avoid tax increases that would harm our economy and everyone in Connecticut,” said Rathgeber.

Almost all Connecticut residents responding to the survey (95 percent) said they have been affected by the economy. While a strong majority (84 percent) is satisfied with their jobs, they are concerned with job security (28 percent), their ability to pay monthly bills and expenses (24 percent) and losing their health care benefits (17 percent).

“More than half of Connecticut residents are cutting back on purchases, which isn’t surprising considering the concern about job security and the ability to pay monthly bills,” said Leann Atkinson, director of corporate communication and research at Zogby International. “Almost everyone is looking to the state government to take action to retain jobs and strengthen the economy.”

Sixty-four percent of respondents said they or a family member have lost their job, been furloughed, or are having difficulty finding a job. Nearly half (46 percent) said their benefits or bonuses have been cut, and 36 percent said they have taken a pay cut or had their wages frozen.

“Connecticut needs a pro-jobs, pro-growth strategy that will help residents and businesses survive the recession and thrive into a new era of prosperity,” said Rathgeber.

Methodology

The survey was conducted by Zogby International in late April, with 601 state residents. The survey has a margin of error of +/- 4.1 percent.  Forty-one percent of respondents reported their party affiliation as Democratic, 26 percent as Republican, and the remainder as Independent, unaffiliated, or minor party.  Twenty-three percent reported being from a union household.

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CBIA is the state’s largest business organization, with 10,000 member companies.

Editor’s Note:  For a complete copy of the survey, visit cbia.com/newsroom/surveys.

 

For more information contact Nancy Andrews, CBIA media relations manager, at 860-244-1957 or andrewsn@cbia.com.

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