In a recent opinion piece to the Wall Street Journal, President Obama signaled that it was time to “make sure we avoid excessive, inconsistent and redundant regulations” and promoted the elimination of rules that “stifle job creation and make our companies less competitive.” We agree wholeheartedly with the President and were thrilled to see his comments.
Governor Malloy has declared that the state is open for business. We applaud his leadership and commitment to job growth. His plan to streamline state government and reform the state bureaucracy is a huge step in opening the door to new jobs. But that streamlined bureaucracy now needs to follow the President’s lead, and implement and administer regulations that aid in the economic redevelopment and job creation that Connecticut so desperately needs. As the governor stated in his budget message, “There is one word to describe this budget, jobs.”
It’s no secret that Connecticut’s over regulated system has been hampering our job growth for yeas. A study just completed by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce examining state regulations and the impact on jobs, listed Connecticut among the lowest tier of states in terms of regulatory freedom. For over two decades, Connecticut has had zero percent job growth. And according to recent press reports, the state’s annual employment rate is expected to grow less than 1 percent over the next five years, the worst rate of any state in the nation. This is unacceptable.
Many factors have contributed to Connecticut’s abysmal economic growth: a laissez-faire attitude by previous state administrations, a lack of leadership from our state leaders to help the business community, and a generally negative and inhospitable attitude toward business by the legislature. We must also list the over regulation of conducting business in Connecticut as a major contributing factor and a drag on existing business growth as well as new business.
The burdensome, often redundant and antiquated regulations need to be reformed and they need to be reformed as part of the governor’s effort to continue to make jobs his number one priority and keep Connecticut open for business.
We do see some positive signs as well. The DPUC’s ruling on electric rates is a relief to the business community. And we see a more cooperative and pro business posture in attorney general’s office under George Jepsen.
But, the governor needs the cooperation of the legislature. The legislature must recognize the effect of every bill and how the resultant regulations will impact jobs in Connecticut. Unfortunately, there are some recent actions by the legislature that might lead some to believe that we are headed right down the wrong path that we are trying not to repeat. In the past month, legislation to revamp antiquated and redundant telecommunications regulations was met with strong opposition by legislative committee leadership, and the family leave legislation filed again this year continues to receive significant support despite the hardships it will put on our businesses.
These attitudes and actions and other anti-business actions are in direct opposition to the governor’s push for jobs. Many legislators ran on a pro jobs platform. Thus far, the actions of the legislature don’t always comport with that campaign rhetoric, which is critical to keeping Connecticut open for business. We hope the words from our legislators’ campaigns last fall, will indeed match their actions in the future.
Paul Moran is the executive director of Jobs for Connecticut Now.
