Jobs

PROBLEM: Connecticut is losing jobs at an alarming rate. We need to reverse that trend.

BACKGROUND: Job loss is not a recent problem for Connecticut. It is a decades old problem that stems from distracted legislation and lack of leadership. The depth and breadth of the issue is represented in the dubious distinctions Connecticut currently holds:

Leader in unfriendly business legislation

Leader in job loss

Leader in long term job stagnation

Leader in population loss among 24-35 year olds, and 6th highest percentage of population over 65

Leader in per capita debt

SOLUTIONS*: Within the scope of the Governor’s responsibility, there are short-term and long-term actions that can be taken to reverse the trend.

*The following objectives are within the scope of the Constitutional authority of the Governor. Rhetoric may excite the base, but it does not result in change.

LEADERSHIP Change starts with the tone at the top.

Promote a business friendly posture in the Executive office.

Advocate for the removal of the $250 business entity tax, helping to set a positive tone.

Support entrepreneurial innovation and achievement through agencies like Connecticut Innovations.

Ask for the resignation of every state employee serving at the pleasure of the governor. Some will stay, some will go. Those state Commissioners that remain will be held to the following standards:

Lead the nation in processing and issuance of decisions on regulatory issues.

Work with labor to establish a culture of service, value, and competence within departments.

Work with the Governor’s office to effect wholesale change of our regulatory structure. This is a high priority goal that requires legislative collaboration and partnership.

Establish a business advocate to help companies navigate state and local regulations.

Listen. As Governor, I will immediately establish a Business Leadership Committee made up of the legislative leaders of both parties, the CEOs of three of Connecticut’s biggest employers, four CEOs of small businesses, one Chamber of Commerce leader and me. We will:

Listen to the most urgent issues facing the business community.

Develop consensus, not rhetoric, on what specific actions can be taken in the 2011 legislative session. I will personally lead those actions through the legislature and hold each legislator accountable for the vote for or against jobs in Connecticut.

Following the session, the Business Leadership Committee will:

Develop short-term objectives for the next session.

Develop objectives for a 5 year plan.

Assess progress quarterly and annually.

CHIEF MARKETER I will promote Connecticut’s strengths and advocate for legislation that makes the most of our assets.

Location. Connecticut is in proximity to more than 10 million people. We have protected ports and convenient air and rail access. We will:

Maintain our transportation infrastructure by spending billions to get our highways, passenger and freight railways, and air transport facilities into first-class condition, not billions on unnecessary “socially engineered” transportation projects.

Education. Connecticut is home to some of the highest quality public and private educational institutions in the world. This includes our public and private secondary schools, community colleges, trade schools, and institutions of higher learning. As Governor, I will:

Promote employment opportunities for the young people who come to or stay in Connecticut for their education, such as:

Incentives for internships

Performance-based incentives for tuition reimbursement

"Charter Programs" that enable small businesses and entrepreneurs to tap into the resources of our educational institutions

Performance-based funding for entrepreneurial innovative efforts

Quality of Life. Connecticut offers an exceptional quality of life. We have, or are in close proximity to, world-class cultural and recreational venues. Our four season climate provides one of our most valuable tourist attractions. As Governor, I will vigorously promote and support the marketing of this valuable asset.

FACE OF REALITY Connecticut is not fiscally stable. Fortunately, neither is most of the world in these challenging times. But times will get better. Business will grow in or migrate to those areas that have developed and implemented pragmatic solutions to their fiscal issues and have developed an environment that is supportive of business growth. As Governor, I will:

Implement fiscal stability. This means restructuring our tax base by:

Identifying the cost of government and then developing and supporting those priorities within the reasonably available fiscal envelope.

Reducing our debt burden.

Cancel bonded projects that have not broken ground that are not directly tied to infrastructure maintenance.

Veto any new state bonding project that is not directly related to infrastructure maintenance.

Advocate for legislation that requires surplus to be directed to the Rainy Day Fund or debt reduction.

Reviewing every state tax and fee. Eliminate, reduce, or increase rates to maximize state and local revenue.

Pushing more revenue and responsibility to the local level, taking advantage of the accountability and lack of bureaucracy that exists at the lower levels of governance.

Advocating for a tax structure that disperses the financial burden of governance among all. If we all have input as to the government we desire, we must all share in the cost.

Eliminating taxes and fees that generate more bureaucracy than revenue.

Ensuring that user fees fund the services they are intended for.