This act, if passed, would require that employers who have fifty or more employees provide up to six days of paid sick leave per year. We are OPPOSING this bill that would essentially handcuff businesses from making policy decisions for there workplace that is appropriate to the circumstances that the industry requires.
When reading about this bill it sounds like a great idea because the statement of purpose reads, “To improve the health of residents of Connecticut and to limit the transfer of infectious diseases in the workplace.”
In reality this legislation will make CT a less attractive place to do business.
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Gross Receipt Tax Exemption
A growing concern that I hear from our Manufacturers is the Gross Receipt Tax exemption which could be in jeopardy this session. The state is understandably looking at all possibilities when trying to close the deficit gap and rescinding the exemptions for manufacturers on the Gross Receipts tax (GRT) would be a HUGE MISTAKE.
The GRT is currently 7% of all gross earnings or receipts. If the legislature repeals this exemption for manufacturers, it will effectively add more than 7% to every manufacturer’s state taxes. Connecticut already has enough anti-business bills and proposals in place and we cannot afford to let this happen during these tough times.
As of now I am unaware of any proposed Bill of this kind but I will keep you posted once it is introduced.
The GRT is currently 7% of all gross earnings or receipts. If the legislature repeals this exemption for manufacturers, it will effectively add more than 7% to every manufacturer’s state taxes. Connecticut already has enough anti-business bills and proposals in place and we cannot afford to let this happen during these tough times.
As of now I am unaware of any proposed Bill of this kind but I will keep you posted once it is introduced.
Small Business Impact Analysis
House Bill 5930 - AN ACT REQUIRING SMALL BUSINESS IMPACT ANALYSES FOR PROPOSED REGULATIONS
This act if passed by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly would require state agencies to perform a small business impact analysis before adopting regulations so the impact of such regulations on small businesses may be meaningfully measured.
This is very important for our members and all small businesses in Connecticut and I would like to commend those legislators who introduced this Bill. This act will help us kill harmful legislation as it comes up in the session due to the fact that we will have real numbers for our elected officials to base their decisions on rather then estimates that are not dependable.
We will be tracking this throughout the session. This Bill was introduced by a number of legislators including our local Representative, Jeffrey Berger from the 73rd District.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
AN ACT REQUIRING A COST-BENEFIT ANALYSIS OF HEALTH INSURANCE BENEFITS MANDATED IN THIS STATE.
If passed, this bill would establish an independent working group to conduct a cost-benefit analysis of existing health insurance benefits mandated in this state, and (2) require that a cost-benefit analysis be conducted prior to the implementation of any new health insurance mandate.
This legislation will allow a nonpartisan point of view on health insurance mandates that would harm businesses and give our legislators and Policy Maker’s tangible numbers to base their decisions on.
This legislation will allow a nonpartisan point of view on health insurance mandates that would harm businesses and give our legislators and Policy Maker’s tangible numbers to base their decisions on.
Local Option Taxes
Mayors and First Selectman have went to the state asking for the ability to tax income, retail sales and hotel fees on a local level!
The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities has once again gone to the state looking for ways to increase city revenue. This is a very difficult time in CT and most cities and towns are looking at large deficits. Although legislative action such as this would give local governments some relief, it will pose more stress on the business community that is already stretched thin and the Waterbury Regional Chamber will oppose this legislation. Currently 38 states permit local sales taxes, none of which are New England states, and hopefully we will not be the first.
The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities are also looking to the state to grant additional authorities such as imposing surcharges on city services to the residents and businesses.
As the session goes on we will keep a close eye on this legislation. This could be the year that the Governor and our Legislative Leaders are pressured to pass this legislation so your Chamber of Commerce will work hard to keep you informed and kill this bill.
The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities has once again gone to the state looking for ways to increase city revenue. This is a very difficult time in CT and most cities and towns are looking at large deficits. Although legislative action such as this would give local governments some relief, it will pose more stress on the business community that is already stretched thin and the Waterbury Regional Chamber will oppose this legislation. Currently 38 states permit local sales taxes, none of which are New England states, and hopefully we will not be the first.
The Connecticut Conference of Municipalities are also looking to the state to grant additional authorities such as imposing surcharges on city services to the residents and businesses.
As the session goes on we will keep a close eye on this legislation. This could be the year that the Governor and our Legislative Leaders are pressured to pass this legislation so your Chamber of Commerce will work hard to keep you informed and kill this bill.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Toll Roads in Connecticut could be a reality, Again!
Connecticut’s Transportation Strategy Board (TSB), which is an independent board appointed by lawmakers and the governor, is charged with the task of creating and guiding Connecticut’s transportation strategy. The transportation research group, Cambridge Systematics, will deliver a document that lays out as many options as possible so the board can make informed recommendations to our legislators for the 2009 session.
This TSB is expected to make a descion whether they will support returning tolls to Connecticut’s highways as other states look to pay-to-drive lanes as a way to relieve congestion and help with infrastructure improvements on January 15th. According to the TSB, the tolls were removed from I-95 in 1985 and Gov. M. Jodi Rell has adamantly opposed returning them to use again. Critics have said it presents the possibility of turning the public highways into personal roads for the rich.
One possibility if tolls become a reality in CT would be using different types of lanes including creating high-occupancy toll, or HOT lanes. Federal and state officials are big proponents of HOT lanes, largely because they cost less and do not require new asphalt or the lengthy approval process for building or expanding new highways. HOT lanes allow people driving by themselves to pay a fee to use lanes reserved for carpoolers and buses, labeled high-occupancy vehicle lanes, or HOV lanes. The buses and carpoolers still drive in the HOV lanes for free. Tolling, especially through HOV lanes, is gaining in popularity in other parts of the country. But groups such as the AAA expressed some concern. “AAA believes that all roads should be toll-free. Where toll roads are utilized, reasonable alternative toll-free routes should always be available,” said Gregg Laskoski, spokesman for AAA South. HOT lanes are only appropriate if an existing car pool lane is underused and the change won’t contribute to congestion, he said.
This TSB is expected to make a descion whether they will support returning tolls to Connecticut’s highways as other states look to pay-to-drive lanes as a way to relieve congestion and help with infrastructure improvements on January 15th. According to the TSB, the tolls were removed from I-95 in 1985 and Gov. M. Jodi Rell has adamantly opposed returning them to use again. Critics have said it presents the possibility of turning the public highways into personal roads for the rich.
One possibility if tolls become a reality in CT would be using different types of lanes including creating high-occupancy toll, or HOT lanes. Federal and state officials are big proponents of HOT lanes, largely because they cost less and do not require new asphalt or the lengthy approval process for building or expanding new highways. HOT lanes allow people driving by themselves to pay a fee to use lanes reserved for carpoolers and buses, labeled high-occupancy vehicle lanes, or HOV lanes. The buses and carpoolers still drive in the HOV lanes for free. Tolling, especially through HOV lanes, is gaining in popularity in other parts of the country. But groups such as the AAA expressed some concern. “AAA believes that all roads should be toll-free. Where toll roads are utilized, reasonable alternative toll-free routes should always be available,” said Gregg Laskoski, spokesman for AAA South. HOT lanes are only appropriate if an existing car pool lane is underused and the change won’t contribute to congestion, he said.
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