CBIA Releases 2024 Legislative Policy Solutions

The state’s largest business organization today released its 2024 legislative policy solutions, a 12-point package of recommendations designed to unlock Connecticut’s economic potential.

“CBIA’S 2024 Transform Connecticut Policy Solutions build on our strengths and tackle our biggest economic challenges,” said CBIA president and CEO Chris DiPentima. 

“We have many reasons for optimism for the state—primarily because of our top priority, protecting the fiscal guardrails implemented as part of the 2017 bipartisan reforms that are largely responsible for the state’s current fiscal health.

“The 2017 fiscal reforms provided the platform to make critical investments in the state,” said DiPentima. “Now is the time to leverage that platform.”

As @CTComptroller notes, the bipartisan fiscal guardrails gave us five years of surpluses, the largest Rainy Day Fund in history, and paid off $8B in pension debt. "The most progressive and fiscally responsible thing we can do is rid ourselves of debt." https://t.co/sn1eOwHnT6

— Chris DiPentima (@ChrisDipentima) January 29, 2024

DiPentima said the policy solutions, developed with residents, business leaders, and stakeholders from across the state, focus on expanding career pathways and making the state a more attractive and affordable place to live and work.

“Fifty-seven thousand people moved to Connecticut in 2022, more college graduates are choosing to remain here, and nearly 1,000 new businesses start each month,” he said.

“We must continue that momentum by targeting our workforce challenges, with opportunity central to addressing this challenge.

“We cannot solve the labor shortage without improving and implementing career pathways for women, immigrants, returning citizens, veterans, and those from underserved and often forgotten communities.”

Policy Priorities

The 2024 Transform Connecticut policy solutions are specifically designed to: 

• Lower the state’s cost of living
• Improve access to affordable, high-quality health insurance for small business employees
• Implement tax incentives for first-time homebuyers
• Make necessary investments in the state’s childcare industry
• Ease the tax burden on small businesses and incentivize investment
• Expand business investments in renewable energy
• Promote new biotech industries
• Create pathways for second act teachers who want to teach trade courses
  

“These solutions provide the foundation to grow the state’s workforce, improve our competitiveness, and modernize the way the government operates,” said CBIA vice president of public policy Chris Davis.

“Policymakers must also continue their commitment to resolve the labor shortage crisis by reducing job creation and retention costs to unlock Connecticut’s true economic potential and continue the positive momentum developed over the last few years.”

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CBIA is Connecticut’s largest business organization, with thousands of member companies, small and large, representing a diverse range of industries from every part of the state. For more information, please contact Scott Beaulieu (860.244.1929).