Dem Priorities: Job Growth & Economic Development

January 13, 2017

House Democrats have filed a package of ten bills, mostly focused on encouraging job growth and economic development in Connecticut.

This legislative package has widespread support among the House Majority caucus, and is expected to garner bipartisan backing as the proposals are developed further by the joint House-Senate committees.

Manufacturing and Building the Future Workforce

HB05585 - AN ACT ESTABLISHING THE TECHNICAL HIGH SCHOOL SYSTEM AS AN INDEPENDENT AGENCY
Technical high schools are vital to the development of Connecticut's future workforce. This bill removes the Connecticut Technical High School System from direct State Department of Education control. As a stand-alone agency, the Connecticut Technical High School System would have its own budget line-item and would have the authority to accept gifts (such as equipment donations used for training purposes) that advance the System’s educational mission.

HB05590 - AN ACT CREATING A TASK FORCE TO IMPROVE THE WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT SYSTEM IN THE STATE OF CONNECTICUT
We need to set up a pipeline between our vo-tech schools and the companies that need the skilled workforce they educate. This bill creates a task force to study the effectiveness, impact, and cohesiveness of the workforce development system in the state.

CT Is a Great Place to Live, Work, and Start Your Business

HB05586 - AN ACT MAKING CONNECTICUT MORE AFFORDABLE FOR COLLEGE GRADUATES
Connecticut is home to some of the greatest colleges and universities in the nation. We need to take steps to assure that recent graduates remain in state. This bill creates a tax credit to incentivize recent associate, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degree graduates to live and work in Connecticut.

HB05583 - AN ACT EXPANDING INVESTMENT ELIGIBILITY UNDER THE ANGEL INVESTOR TAX CREDIT PROGRAM
A successful company is nothing more than a group of people willing to invest in an idea. Most business owners have no trouble investing their time and effort, yet struggle to find the financial backing required to get their ideas off the ground. This bill allows accredited investors who seek to consult and mentor prospective small business owners to contribute to a fund established to support the growth of small businesses.

HB05584 - AN ACT CONCERNING THE CREATION OF A SMALL BUSINESS HOTLINE
Running a small business is hard work. We must give entrepreneurs the tools and resources they need to succeed. This bill creates a statewide information hotline providing prospective and existing small business owners with customized advice, education, and network resources.

HB05592 - AN ACT CONCERNING INCENTIVES FOR MUNICIPAL REVITALIZATION PROJECTS
Making Connecticut a great place to work is only one part of puzzle. We also need to make it great place to live. This bill creates incentives for municipalities to establish entertainment districts in eligible locations in order to contribute to the cultural and economic growth of the community.

CT Is Putting People First

HB05587 - AN ACT CONCERNING A TAX EXEMPTION FOR SENIORS' SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS
Living on a fixed income can be challenging. We want to remove a tax burden that many senior citizens face by implementing a commonsense reform. This bill will exempt all seniors’ Social Security income from the state personal income tax.

HB05591 - AN ACT CONCERNING PAY EQUITY IN THE WORKFORCE
When it comes to financial fairness, nothing is more fundamental than equal pay for equal work. This bill will help close the gender pay gap. Additionally the bill addresses gender-based discrimination in workplace policies and strengthens anti-discrimination laws.

HB05588 - AN ACT IMPOSING A CAP ON GENERAL OBLIGATION BOND ALLOCATIONS
We must get our fiscal house in order. This bill limits the governor’s bonding authority of non-economic and education projects.

HB05589 - AN ACT CONCERNING CAMPAIGN FINANCE REFORM
Now more than ever, it is necessary to track the flow of money in politics. This bill requires the disclosure of donors behind independent expenditures and creates a trigger that will provide supplemental grants to participating candidates in the Citizen’s Election Program to offset private spending.