200,000 jobs in 10 years is state’s path forward
Imagine how different Connecticut would be if we grow the workforce by 200,000 over the next 10 years. The number represents almost twice the population of Hartford or 15 percent of the current number of people working for private employers — and after 30 years of no net new job growth, the change would be dramatic.
The benefits to the average Con- necticut citizen are obvious. Substantial growth in the workforce would mean more opportunity, better paying jobs and a resurgent economy created by 200,000 more people working, paying taxes and buying homes, cars and goods.
Those new revenues would allow us to provide meaningful support of programs that serve our most vulnerable — because as we create solutions, seek effective partnerships and restore this great state to what I am confident it will be again — we must never lose our compassion.
A robust economy is critical to our quality of life, our education, infrastructure, health care, environment, the arts and our safety nets.
That is why the creation of 200,000 jobs is the centerpiece of our campaign and why it will be the organizing principle behind our administration.
Connecticut already has important assets in place to accomplish this goal including a highly educated and productive workforce, an abundance of smart citizens committed to a fair and vibrant economy and proximity to Boston and New York — a competitive advantage because of lower real estate costs and less congestion compared to New York and Boston.
Connecticut has had zero net job growth in the last 30 years. In the last three decades we have seen ups and downs in the Connecticut job market, but each time we have seen an increase in employment our numbers have never exceeded previous losses.
We have been holding steady — not growing — and that has hurt Connecticut’s economy and made it nearly impossible to make substantial progress on transportation, education and paying off our enormous debt.
Our comprehensive plan offers a holistic approach to create jobs and bring renewed prosperity to Connecticut:
⏩ Privatize certain state services to reduce state spending. Use the full Rainy Day fund to minimize damage to municipalities, social services agencies, education and transportation.
⏩ Invest in transportation, re-establish the Transportation Strategy Board and partner with the private sector to implement a congestion-based tolling pilot on I-84, I-91 HOV lanes. Use our ports to move freight by barge to ease congestion and create marine sector jobs.
⏩ Support training and apprenticeship programs in community colleges and technical schools for advanced manufacturing, hospitality and insurance and financial services.
⏩ Develop an integrated approach to workforce development needs and link education leaders with employers.
⏩ Promote development to attract and keep the newest generation of workers, like transit-oriented developments, affordable city living, and increased amenities like bike lanes and greenways.
Creating 200,000 net new jobs is the prism through which we will view all public policy decisions. Every major decision will be made with an eye toward job growth — with a focus on transportation, economic development and education. On each issue, we will engage directly with employers and other non-government stakeholders to include the perspectives of those who create jobs so we adopt policies that will work for everyone.
We are fiscal conservatives, but cutting spending alone is not an honest path to fiscal stability. It is easy to believe only the other guy relies on government programs, not me or my family.
The truth is we all rely on a taxpayer-funded transportation system, public health and safety agencies, and public schools, colleges and universities.
We cannot responsibly cut or tax our way out of Connecticut’s economic stagnation, but we can grow our way out.
There will be three candidates on the ballot in November but only two choices: to do what we’ve been doing for three decades or to take a different path. Connecticut needs a governor willing to pursue public policies based on the quality of ideas no matter where those ideas come from. Only an independent governor and lieutenant governor can run state government free of the partisan requirements each political party places on its elected officials.
The most important policy to pursue over the next four years is a commitment to growing the Connecticut workforce.
Restoring fiscal responsibility combined with significant job growth is the only path forward.