Carpino Supports Passage of Job Creation Package

State Rep. Christie Carpino on Wednesday supported the passage of legislation aimed to relieve Connecticut’s negative business climate and the unyielding unemployment rate of nine percent. The legislation included creating a job training program which will enhance the state’s workforce and loans which will help businesses.  

The bi-partisan package passed by a significant majority in the State House and Senate during a special session of the General Assembly. Since the end of the regular session in June, Carpino has focused on meeting with small business owners within her district to discuss how the legislature can encourage more growth within the private sector.

“The jobs package we passed today is a step in the right direction, but there is still much more work that needs to be done to help struggling businesses,” Carpino said in a press release. “We need to continue our efforts to further address the issues that have made Connecticut such a difficult state for doing business.”

Carpino, who serves on the Education Committee, also supported $40 million to be used to establish and expand manufacturing technology training at six schools in the community college and vocational technical systems.

Carpino, R-Cromwell, and her House Republican colleagues met recently with more than 50 small business owners who expressed their ideas for ways to improve Connecticut. Those ideas were incorporated into the bill passed Wednesday. 

• $60 million for training programs and tax credits
• $10 million revolving loan fund for businesses at risk of closing
• $500 monthly tax credit for new hires, $900 credit for all unemployed, disabled and veterans hired
• Cut the Annual Business Entity tax in half
• Reduce “Angel” investment threshold from $100,000 to $25,000

The bill also authorizes $340 million in Manufacturing Assistance Act (MAA) funds over the next two years.
   
Business owners blasted the state’s regulatory and permitting, and Republicans responded:

• Brownfield reclamation enhanced through $20 million used to clean up and sell properties privately
• State Traffic Commission proposals not acted upon with 60 days will be deemed approved
• An enhanced and improved informational technology portal will make it faster and easier for developers and businesses to work through the state bureaucracy
• Analyze and report on agency permitting processes by the start of the 2012 legislative session, with an aim toward crafting bipartisan legislation to create streamlined, systematic changes

Carpino represents Cromwell, Middletown and Portland.