Despite Slowing Economy, CT Small Businesses Dodge Some Bullets
This fall all State Legislative seats are up for grabs. Both the State
Senate and the State House will see some dramatic changes in their
leadership and Chairs. With the election looming in November,
legislators have been working on and off in special session on selected
issues since the adjournment of the formal General Assembly session
in May.
Session Update
Despite a state budget deficit and a slowing economy, troubling
trends in this year’s legislative session started to build as legislators
continued to push proposals and initiatives that would have put more
pressure on state businesses and risk their ability to continue to
provide and create good jobs.
Although many proposals to increase business costs or add new
mandates — mostly from the Labor Committee on employers were
rejected, some of the most burdensome proposals — mostly from the
Labor Committee — died only when time ran out on the session.
Keeping these bills alive that long sent a clear message that the
current General Assembly is moving in a more liberal, less
business friendly direction.
State public-sector unions pushed a bill to open the state health care
plan to municipalities and small businesses, paving the way for a
state-run, single-payer health care system in Connecticut. The
business community sought a veto from Gov. Rell and she ultimately
decided to veto the proposal and force everyone back to the table.
Many concerns were raised because it didn’t address the key issue of
rising health care costs. Real health care reform will reduce cost
drivers, improve the quality of care and provide the uninsured access
to health care.
Businesses and state residents alike believe the health care system
should remain mainly in the private sector. Other groups pushed a bill
that would have made Connecticut the first state in the nation to
mandate paid sick time. They touted the proposal as a help to
businesses. But employers responded that the paid sick leave mandate
would cost them too much in terms of dollars and competiveness.
The CCA continues to work with the Governor, Republican leaders,
House Speaker and those legislators who oppose efforts to discourage
investment, slow economic growth and reduce job creation in
Connecticut Minimum Wage Raised
Substitute House Bill No. 5105 (Publc Act No. 08-92) was passed
and signed by the Governor and it will HB-5105 – it increases the
minimum wage from $7.65 to $8 in 2009 and to $8.25 in 2010.
Other Anti-Business Bills
A number of other anti-business bills were raised and debated during
the session that would have had a negative impact on the Connecticut
carwash industry and business in general.
. SB-217 would have mandated employers of 50 or more
employees to provide paid sick leave to hourly and nonexempt
employees after 120 days of employment. Sick leave would be paid at
a rate of one hour for every 40 hours worked, to a maximum of 52
hours per year, with unused hours carried over into the next year.
Fortunately, this bill died in the House.
. SB-255 would have increased workers' compensation insurance
costs for employers more than 50 percent by expanding the amount of
"discretionary benefits" under the Workers‘ Compensation Act.
Thankfully this bill died in the Senate.
. SB-335 would have extended from one to three years the time in
which any personnel action taken by an employer involving a
whistleblower could be deemed retaliation. This bill died in the House.
. HB-5114 would have prohibited employers from requiring that
employees receive payment of wages by direct deposit or pay card
whenever employees would be charged for the withdrawal of such
funds. This bill died in the Senate.
. HB-5334 would have penalized employers for exercising their
right to question or challenge medical treatment recommendations for
workers‘ compensation claimants. This bill did not pass this session.
Primary Election Results
Connecticut had a number of state legislative primaries on August 12
under the new public finance system. Among the Senate winners,
Incumbent State Senator John Fonfara (1st District) beat back a
challenge from Ed Vargas, State Rep. Kevin Witkos won the open 8th
Seat Republican Primary and will face Art House in November and
Democrats Anthony Musto (22nd District) and Duane Perkins (24th
District) both won Democratic primaries and go on to face Republican
opponents in the fall.
In the House, incumbents Marie Kirkley-Bey, Chris Caruso, Corky
Mazurek and Deborah Heinrich all survived challenges and should win
their general election races in November. Incumbent St. Rep. Bob
Keeley was the only sitting State Rep. defeated in the primary.
P.J. Cimini, Esq. is the CCA’s lobbyist and a partner in Capital
Strategies Group, LLC, in Harford. You can reach P.J. at 860/293-2581
or email him.
