"Reaching for the future, not retreating to the past"
Connecticut is a state whose future can be as successful as its past. With our talented citizens, and a world class quality of life we still have tremendous promise to look forward to.
As one of the most productive and technologically advanced economies in the world, it is no surprise that when growth slows and global markets are in decline, Connecticut feels it much worse than most.
It is important to think both systematically and strategically about the best ways to compete for high quality jobs, create more of them, and to understand the complex factors that will make Connecticut competitive. And so, the Majority Leaders of the General Assembly decided last fall to look beyond current economic conditions and create a plan.
The Majority Leaders reached out to a cross section of legislators, academics, economists, labor and business leaders, and venture capitalists. The aim of this diverse group was to create a "Roundtable" to engage in a dialogue between all sectors and parts of the Connecticut economy about best practices, common experiences and real world based solutions that work and are affordable in the current budget climate.
The members of the Roundtable agreed on a few basic elements of a strategy:
October 17, 2011 HEARINGS SET FOR OCTOBER 20TH ON JOBS, JACKSON LABS
The General Assembly will hold informational hearings on jobs initiatives on Thursday, Oct. 20, including a public comment period following hearings on Jackson Laboratory and the Jobs Special Session. READ MORE
October 5, 2011 JOBS GROWTH AT CENTER OF LEGISLATIVE FORUM
House Majority Leader Brendan Sharkey (D-Hamden) and State Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) opened the October 2011 Majority Leaders’ Job Growth Roundtable meeting with a presentation by Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) Commissioner Catherine Smith. READ MORE
June 2, 2011 MAJOR JOBS LEGISLATION CLEARS HOUSE
One of the most important pieces of legislation this year that will help create and retain manufacturing and technology-based jobs for long-term growth. Incentives and a strong network between investors, academics and the state can transform Connecticut into a center of innovation that can be a magnet for entrepreneurs, talented people and great ideas to take root. READ MORE
February 25, 2011 JOB GROWTH AT CENTER OF LEGISLATIVE FORUM
House Majority Leader Brendan Sharkey and State Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney convened the 2011 Majority Leaders’ Job Growth Roundtable on February 25th at the Legislative Office Building. READ MORE
October 4, 2010 MAJORITY LEADERS’ JOBS ROUNDTABLE FOCUSES ON HOW INCUBATOR NETWORK HELPS SMALL BUSINESSES GROW, EXPAND
Led by House Majority Leader Denise Merrill, the Majority Leaders’ Jobs Growth Roundtable heard presentations Monday from leaders of the Connecticut Business Incubator Network and its efforts to help new companies grow and expand. READ MORE
June 25, 2010 GROWING ONE JOB AT A TIME Legislators tout bill that creates jobs in small business
Gar-Kenyon is hiring a new employee, and its chief executive says the state legislature can take some of the credit. Steven A. Fournier, president and CEO of the Naugatuck-based manufacturer, said Tuesday his company is taking advantage of a state job-training program. READ MORE
June 23, 2010 SPEAKER DONOVAN, MAJORITY LEADER MERRILL, REP. BERGER
MEET WITH WATERBURY BUSINESS LEADERS Job growth and job creation top agenda
State House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden); House Majority Leader Denise Merrill (D-Chaplin, Mansfield); House Chair of the Commerce Committee, Rep. Jeff Berger (D-Waterbury) and members of the Waterbury Business Community met today at Platt Brothers in Waterbury to talk about legislative accomplishments of the General Assembly's 2010 session, particularly measures that impact jobs creation. READ MORE
May 12, 2010 SPEAKER DONOVAN SAYS JOBS BILL WILL REENERGIZE CONNECTICUT'S ECONOMY
House Speaker Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) said the comprehensive jobs bill signed into law by Governor Rell today "will begin to reenergize Connecticut's economy, give hope to the thousands of unemployed, and help grow the small businesses that will fuel our recovery." READ MORE
May 1, 2010 HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES APPROVES MAJORITY LEADER MERRILL'S JOBS BILL
The state House of Representatives voted Saturday to approve what Majority Leader Denise Merrill called a top priority of the General Assembly session - the proposed Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Majority Leaders' Job Growth Roundtable (HB 5435). READ MORE
March 23, 2010 COMMERCE COMMITTEE OKS MAJORITY LEADERS' JOBS BILL
The legislature's Commerce Committee voted overwhelmingly Tuesday to approve the proposed Act Concerning the Recommendations of the Majority Leaders' Job Growth Roundtable (HB 5435) and send it to the floor of the House for action. READ MORE
March 9, 2010 COMMERCE COMMITTEE HEARS ABOUT MAJORITY LEADERS' JOBS BILL
House Majority Leader Denise Merrill (D-Mansfield) testified today before the Commerce Committee in support of her legislation encouraging business innovation and entrepreneurship. READ MORE
March 1, 2010 SPEAKER DONOVAN'S PANELS ON GREEN JOBS AND ELECTRIC RATE RELIEF RELEASE REPORTS OF RECOMMENDATIONS Donovan says green jobs and electric rate relief will lead to job growth in state Speaker of the House Christopher G. Donovan (D-Meriden) and Energy Committee co-chair Rep. Vickie Nardello (D-Bethany, Cheshire, Prospect) today announced the release of two reports from separate working groups that the Speaker created earlier this year to investigate the issues of green jobs and electric rate relief in the state. READ MORE
February 2, 2010 Majority Leaders' Jobs Group Announces Plan To Jump-Start Job Creation and Position Connecticut's Economy For Long-Term Growth Among Group's Recommendations: Realignment of Tax Credits, Investment in Green Jobs and Energy Efficiency, Smarter Government, and Leveraging Private Capital for Entrepreneurs
A group led by House Majority Leader Denise Merrill (D-Mansfield) and Senate Majority Leader Martin Looney (D-New Haven) today announced a series of recommendations designed "to jump-start job creation in Connecticut and lay the foundation for long-term prosperity." READ MORE
December 7, 2009 Majority Leaders' Job Growth Roundtable Meeting
Work continues on strategies to strengthen the state's economy & create jobs with presentations on green energy jobs, angel investor tax credits and the need for affordable housing in preparation for developing legislation to be considered next session. Video http://ctnv1.ctn.state.ct.us/J/job_growth_12-7-09.wmv
November 16, 2009 Majority Leaders' Job Growth Roundtable Meeting
Includes reports from the Program Review Committee on its study of the state's economic competitiveness, and from smaller manufacturers, the CBIA and the Office for Workforce Competitiveness focusing on ways to stimulate job growth in Connecticut. Video http://ctnv1.ctn.state.ct.us/J/job_growth_11-16-09.wmv
October 13, 2009 Economic Strategy & Job Growth Working Group Introductory Meeting
Formed by the House and Senate majority leaders, working group members brainstorm ideas to develop a strategic direction to strengthen the state's economy, create jobs, and lay the groundwork for future stable growth. Video http://ctnv1.ctn.state.ct.us/E/economic_strategy_10-13-09.wmv
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