Business Leaders Seek Help Creating Jobs

STAMFORD, Conn. – More 50 Connecticut business executives complained about the business climate in the state and shared their ideas on how to fix it at a forum held by several Republican members of the state’s General Assembly.

Suggestions to boost business included: eliminating the state’s business entity tax for manufacturing companies, streamlining the state’s permitting process and making it easier for small businesses to bid on state jobs and purchasing orders, a statement said.

Many of the executives said state regulations can slow a business's ability to provide services, a statement said.

“More than anything, the job creators of this state are looking to lawmakers to provide a sense of certainty,” state Rep. Michael Molgano, a Stamford Republican, said in the statement after attending the forum. “They want to know that the legislature considers the business community a partner in growing the economy, and that state legislators won’t raid their wallets when funding for their programs dries up.”

The forum was held to collect input before the special legislative session beginning Oct. 26, which will focus on improving the state’s business climate.

“All over this state we’re hearing stories about young men and women who can’t afford to take ownership of a family business and about companies struggling with retroactive tax hikes,” said Molgano, who serves on the Finance Committee. “If we want to make Connecticut an easier place to do business, there’s no one better to listen to than folks dealing with these issues.”

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