From the CT20x17 Steering Committee
Dear Connecticut Legislators:
The 2015 General Assembly session will be ending soon. The choices you make in the next few weeks will have an enormous impact on Connecticut’s economy and job growth.
CT20x17 is a nonpartisan coalition of residents, associations, and businesses working together to drive public policies that strengthen the state’s economy. Our goal is to see the Constitution State ranked among the top 20 in the nation for economic competitiveness by 2017.
Why is CT20x17 so important?
We know a robust state economy attracts business investment, which leads to job growth, a larger tax base, and ultimately improved public services. Creating a vibrant economy is the only road to lasting fiscal solutions that balance budgets, maintain critical programs, and fund hospitals and community providers. When this happens, Connecticut becomes a better place to live, work, and raise a family.
Unfortunately, we have experienced budget deficits followed by tax increases. This has become a disincentive for new business investment. We don’t want to again watch companies, jobs, and taxpayers move out of Connecticut—making future fiscal crises all but certain.
Please end this vicious cycle. A good start is to pursue budget reforms that:
- Balance the state’s new two-year budget without higher taxes and fees
- Create fair tax policies that nurture growth and innovation
- Establish meaningful outcome measurements for funded programs
- Implement lean principles across every state agency and monitor progress in an open,
transparent manner - Open the system so that experienced nonprofit providers can deliver quality services
in our state at a lower cost
Taking these proactive steps will help boost business confidence, drive future investment, and grow jobs in Connecticut.
If Connecticut continues to slip in national economic competitiveness rankings, lag the nation in job creation, and obstruct private-sector investment with tax increases, labor mandates, and overregulation, confidence will gradually disappear.
Now is the time to do things differently and make changes that will benefit the future of our children and grandchildren. It is time to #MoveCTup!