Legislative agenda approved

Christina Emery, chairman of the Chamber’s Government Relations Committee, presented the 2020 Legislative Agenda titled “Attract, Train & Retain” to the Chamber’s Board of Directors on January 23, 2020. At that time, the Board of Directors unanimously voted to adopt the Agenda as presented. The Agenda will be presented to the Connecticut General Assembly at the start of the 2020 Legislative Session. The following are the areas of concern and specific points pertaining to each.

Promote Workforce Development

Provide a framework to attract, train and retain the next generation of workers.

Support policies that address the high cost of living to attract skilled labor, college graduates and young professionals to Northwest CT.

Recognize the importance of Northwest CT’s manufacturing sector and foster relationships to allow the industry to thrive in a global climate. Promoting workforce development is at the heart of the sector’s commitment to job creation.

Promote Business Growth

Support pro-business policies that encourage growth and attract and retain businesses.

Oppose mandates and regulations that increase both the cost of living and the cost of doing business.

Repeal the indexing of minimum wage after reaching $15/hour.

Support legislation to hold employers harmless for unemployment compensation rates when a replacement worker is dismissed due to permanent employee’s FML status.

Arts & Culture Support culture and tourism initiatives in Northwest CT, such as the Warner Theatre, Five Points Gallery and American Mural Project, that serve as economic drivers and generate a return on investment.

Maintain the CT Office of the Arts and encourage a collaboration with the Northwest Connecticut Arts Council.

Economic Hub Recognize Northwest CT’s designation as a micropolitan area. Support Torrington with adequate funding in recognition of the city providing services for many.

Advocate for representation from Northwest Connecticut on the Governor’s

Workforce Council.

Help to leverage the $1.2 M grant from the Charlotte Hungerford Hospital Hartford Healthcare Building Healthier Communities Fund with public and private partnerships in Torrington & Winsted. Education

Achieve efficiencies in education with mandate relief, minimum budget requirements, and binding arbitration.

Support course offerings and programs by Northwestern Connecticut Community College that are crucial to our region's workforce.

Support ways to reduce financial barriers to college for this region’s students.

Improve collaboration among vo-ag and vo-tech schools with local public schools to ensure adequate funding.

Energy & Communications

Support Northwest CT’s companies that create fuel cell, wind, solar, bioheat and other alternative energy innovations.

Support a new fiber-optic network for Northwest CT which is critical to the region’s economic development, education and safety.

Continue capital and maintenance improvements to increase energy supply, capacity and transmission.

Healthcare

CT hospitals and health systems are important community partners, generating more than 200,000 jobs and contributing over $28 billion to the state and local economies each year. Safeguard their contributions by supporting measures that strengthen these vital organizations.

Adopt policies and practices to assist recruitment and retention of skilled healthcare workers at all levels including primary care and behavioral health, CNAs and RNs to cover the current and projected shortage.

Support communitybased mental health services that address the growing demand for treatment, and in particular, measures that effectively counter the opioid crisis. Transportation Improve public transit options throughout Northwest CT to help low-income individuals access jobs and educational opportunities that exist beyond the limited bus routes.

Recognize that tolls will impact the cost of doing business in CT; look for alternative ways of lowering costs to maintain highways.