Senate Leadership
April 11, 2007
Senate Democrats Want Simmons to Jump Start Rell Administration’s Lagging Effort on Jobs
Confirmed as Business Advocate, he is urged to get the Rell administration moving
In confirming him as the state's new Business Advocate, state Senate President Pro Tempore Donald E. Williams, Jr. (D-Brooklyn) and other Senate Democrats today asked former U.S. Representative Rob Simmons to get the Rell administration to focus on economic development and job growth. Sen. Williams has been urging the governor to act quickly to fill key leadership positions in agencies crucial to economic growth.
"Last year, with bipartisan support and the governor's signature, we passed 'Jobs for the 21st Century' legislation that created the position of the Business Advocate," Sen. Williams said. "That landmark effort is now in trouble because the governor has not followed through. Her 2007 budget proposal guts much of the initiative."
"Jobs For The 21st Century" provided numerous incentives and programs for job growth and retention. It also provided resources for increased training and education. The governor eliminated the following:
- $4 million for an urban jobs program
- $250,000 for Engineering Connecticut forgivable loan program
- $250,000 for You Belong graduate reimbursement grants
- $125,000 for Generation Next
- $125,000 for Future Scholars
Added Sen. Williams, "In addition, we have been without a commissioner of the Department of Economic and Community Development for four months now and no commissioner of Culture and Tourism, also a significant component of economic development. We have had two directors of Connecticut Innovations in the last six months-and the position is currently vacant. CI is critical to the state's efforts to remain on the cutting edge of high-tech industries such as energy, biotechnology, information technology, and photonics."
"Economic development was the top priority last year," Sen. Williams said. "We hope Rob Simmons can hit the ground running and help the Rell administration keep its eye on the ball and move forward."
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Senator Williams’ Larry Cook |
Listing of Leadership’s recent press releases. |
Senator Looney’s Larry Cook |
