Month: May 2018
Senate Democrats Hail UTC Announcement of 2,000 New Jobs and Investment in Connecticut
Senate Democrats Hail UTC Announcement of 2,000 New Jobs and Investment in Connecticut
Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus today released the following statements regarding today’s announcement by United Technologies Corporation that it is committing to add 2,000 more jobs in Connecticut:
“In just the past three years, Connecticut has partnered with major manufacturing employers like UTC, Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky, and Electric Boat to train workers and create thousands of new, good-paying jobs,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “These large manufacturers have hundreds of subcontractors across Connecticut—this means big business for local small businesses, machine shops and workers across the entire supply chain. Today’s announcement by UTC is welcome news.”
“This year, Democrats in the General Assembly led passage of a $50 million investment in workforce development programs helping our community colleges and high schools prepare students to meet the demands for workers in advanced manufacturing,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “The investments we are making in advanced manufacturing education and career training are creating a pipeline of Connecticut workers—that will fill these jobs for a generation—who are better skilled and better educated than our competitors. UTC is just the latest example of a major employer choosing to grow its workforce here in Connecticut”
“This commitment to Connecticut speaks volumes about the great workforce available in our state,” said state Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford). “I’m proud to represent the 3rd Senate District, which is home to UTC and many of its subcontractors.”
“UTC growing its workforce by 11 percent in Connecticut over the next three years means that Connecticut has to make a commensurate investment in its higher education system to help prepare our students for these and other high-tech manufacturing jobs, which are growing by leaps and bounds in the state,” said state Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford), who is Senate Co-Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. “I remember last year at this time UTC was opening its brand-new $60 million research center in East Hartford, and that came a couple years after UTC said it’s investing half a billion dollars in research and manufacturing here in Connecticut by 2020. So the jobs are there, and they’re growing; now we have to do our part to properly prepare the next-generation workforce.”
“Nothing happens in a vacuum; UTC is growing these jobs in Connecticut in part because of our commitment to this company and their commitment to stay and grow in Connecticut, which they’ve been doing a lot of lately,” said state Senator Steve Cassano (D-Manchester), who once worked as a machinist at UTC’s Pratt & Whitney division. “UTC CEO Greg Hayes said today that their hiring goals means Connecticut has to train and have available a wider pool of manufacturing talent. That’s what I’ve been saying for years. We’ve got to get kids started earlier in the manufacturing trades, and we’ve got to bring more women into this field. I think Connecticut as made great strides in recent years but now we’ve got more work to do.”
“I spent much of the past year advocating for state assistance and job training funds for our growing submarine industry down in southeastern Connecticut, so I know how important any announcement is regarding more manufacturing jobs and the need for a trained workforce,” said state Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague). “Manufacturing jobs are coming back big-time to Connecticut, and we’ve done a lot in the legislature over the last few years to make that possible, including our agreement with UTC four years ago that swapped some unused tax credits for their $500 million investment in the state. But we have to continue working with state manufacturers and our local high schools and community colleges to make sure we’re dovetailing our state job-training policies with this new economic reality. It’s kind of a nice challenge to have.”
“In 2014, I voted to make an investment in UTC’s future in Connecticut and that has helped grow our economy and create more jobs,” said state Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain). “So many of my constituents in the 6th District work for UTC, and having this kind of economic stability will ensure Connecticut’s economic future. This is a great moment for Connecticut, and I am so proud to be part of it.”
Senate Democrats Hail UTC Announcement of 2,000 New Jobs and Investment in Connecticut
Senate Democrats Hail UTC Announcement of 2,000 New Jobs and Investment in Connecticut
Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus today released the following statements regarding today’s announcement by United Technologies Corporation that it is committing to add 2,000 more jobs in Connecticut:
“In just the past three years, Connecticut has partnered with major manufacturing employers like UTC, Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky, and Electric Boat to train workers and create thousands of new, good-paying jobs,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “These large manufacturers have hundreds of subcontractors across Connecticut—this means big business for local small businesses, machine shops and workers across the entire supply chain. Today’s announcement by UTC is welcome news.”
“This year, Democrats in the General Assembly led passage of a $50 million investment in workforce development programs helping our community colleges and high schools prepare students to meet the demands for workers in advanced manufacturing,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “The investments we are making in advanced manufacturing education and career training are creating a pipeline of Connecticut workers—that will fill these jobs for a generation—who are better skilled and better educated than our competitors. UTC is just the latest example of a major employer choosing to grow its workforce here in Connecticut”
“This commitment to Connecticut speaks volumes about the great workforce available in our state,” said state Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford). “I’m proud to represent the 3rd Senate District, which is home to UTC and many of its subcontractors.”
“UTC growing its workforce by 11 percent in Connecticut over the next three years means that Connecticut has to make a commensurate investment in its higher education system to help prepare our students for these and other high-tech manufacturing jobs, which are growing by leaps and bounds in the state,” said state Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford), who is Senate Co-Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. “I remember last year at this time UTC was opening its brand-new $60 million research center in East Hartford, and that came a couple years after UTC said it’s investing half a billion dollars in research and manufacturing here in Connecticut by 2020. So the jobs are there, and they’re growing; now we have to do our part to properly prepare the next-generation workforce.”
“Nothing happens in a vacuum; UTC is growing these jobs in Connecticut in part because of our commitment to this company and their commitment to stay and grow in Connecticut, which they’ve been doing a lot of lately,” said state Senator Steve Cassano (D-Manchester), who once worked as a machinist at UTC’s Pratt & Whitney division. “UTC CEO Greg Hayes said today that their hiring goals means Connecticut has to train and have available a wider pool of manufacturing talent. That’s what I’ve been saying for years. We’ve got to get kids started earlier in the manufacturing trades, and we’ve got to bring more women into this field. I think Connecticut as made great strides in recent years but now we’ve got more work to do.”
“I spent much of the past year advocating for state assistance and job training funds for our growing submarine industry down in southeastern Connecticut, so I know how important any announcement is regarding more manufacturing jobs and the need for a trained workforce,” said state Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague). “Manufacturing jobs are coming back big-time to Connecticut, and we’ve done a lot in the legislature over the last few years to make that possible, including our agreement with UTC four years ago that swapped some unused tax credits for their $500 million investment in the state. But we have to continue working with state manufacturers and our local high schools and community colleges to make sure we’re dovetailing our state job-training policies with this new economic reality. It’s kind of a nice challenge to have.”
“In 2014, I voted to make an investment in UTC’s future in Connecticut and that has helped grow our economy and create more jobs,” said state Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain). “So many of my constituents in the 6th District work for UTC, and having this kind of economic stability will ensure Connecticut’s economic future. This is a great moment for Connecticut, and I am so proud to be part of it.”
Statement from Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff on Rep. Bruce Morris’ Decision Not to Seek Reelection
Statement from Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff on Rep. Bruce Morris’ Decision Not to Seek Reelection
Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) today released the following statement regarding Deputy Speaker Bruce Morris’ decision to retire from the Connecticut General Assembly:
“Deputy Speaker Bruce Morris has spent his career in the General Assembly fighting on behalf of Norwalk families. He has been a champion for economic justice, affordable housing and the right of every child to have a quality education. I will always value our time spent working together on behalf of the city that we both love. I wish Bruce, Gail, his children and grandchildren all the best as he retires from the Connecticut House of Representatives.”
Senate Democrats Hail UTC Announcement of 2,000 New Jobs and Investment in Connecticut
Senate Democrats Hail UTC Announcement of 2,000 New Jobs and Investment in Connecticut
Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus today released the following statements regarding today’s announcement by United Technologies Corporation that it is committing to add 2,000 more jobs in Connecticut:
“In just the past three years, Connecticut has partnered with major manufacturing employers like UTC, Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky, and Electric Boat to train workers and create thousands of new, good-paying jobs,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “These large manufacturers have hundreds of subcontractors across Connecticut—this means big business for local small businesses, machine shops and workers across the entire supply chain. Today’s announcement by UTC is welcome news.”
“This year, Democrats in the General Assembly led passage of a $50 million investment in workforce development programs helping our community colleges and high schools prepare students to meet the demands for workers in advanced manufacturing,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “The investments we are making in advanced manufacturing education and career training are creating a pipeline of Connecticut workers—that will fill these jobs for a generation—who are better skilled and better educated than our competitors. UTC is just the latest example of a major employer choosing to grow its workforce here in Connecticut”
“This commitment to Connecticut speaks volumes about the great workforce available in our state,” said state Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford). “I’m proud to represent the 3rd Senate District, which is home to UTC and many of its subcontractors.”
“UTC growing its workforce by 11 percent in Connecticut over the next three years means that Connecticut has to make a commensurate investment in its higher education system to help prepare our students for these and other high-tech manufacturing jobs, which are growing by leaps and bounds in the state,” said state Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford), who is Senate Co-Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. “I remember last year at this time UTC was opening its brand-new $60 million research center in East Hartford, and that came a couple years after UTC said it’s investing half a billion dollars in research and manufacturing here in Connecticut by 2020. So the jobs are there, and they’re growing; now we have to do our part to properly prepare the next-generation workforce.”
“Nothing happens in a vacuum; UTC is growing these jobs in Connecticut in part because of our commitment to this company and their commitment to stay and grow in Connecticut, which they’ve been doing a lot of lately,” said state Senator Steve Cassano (D-Manchester), who once worked as a machinist at UTC’s Pratt & Whitney division. “UTC CEO Greg Hayes said today that their hiring goals means Connecticut has to train and have available a wider pool of manufacturing talent. That’s what I’ve been saying for years. We’ve got to get kids started earlier in the manufacturing trades, and we’ve got to bring more women into this field. I think Connecticut as made great strides in recent years but now we’ve got more work to do.”
“I spent much of the past year advocating for state assistance and job training funds for our growing submarine industry down in southeastern Connecticut, so I know how important any announcement is regarding more manufacturing jobs and the need for a trained workforce,” said state Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague). “Manufacturing jobs are coming back big-time to Connecticut, and we’ve done a lot in the legislature over the last few years to make that possible, including our agreement with UTC four years ago that swapped some unused tax credits for their $500 million investment in the state. But we have to continue working with state manufacturers and our local high schools and community colleges to make sure we’re dovetailing our state job-training policies with this new economic reality. It’s kind of a nice challenge to have.”
“In 2014, I voted to make an investment in UTC’s future in Connecticut and that has helped grow our economy and create more jobs,” said state Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain). “So many of my constituents in the 6th District work for UTC, and having this kind of economic stability will ensure Connecticut’s economic future. This is a great moment for Connecticut, and I am so proud to be part of it.”
Senate Democrats Hail UTC Announcement of 2,000 New Jobs and Investment in Connecticut
Senate Democrats Hail UTC Announcement of 2,000 New Jobs and Investment in Connecticut
Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus today released the following statements regarding today’s announcement by United Technologies Corporation that it is committing to add 2,000 more jobs in Connecticut:
“In just the past three years, Connecticut has partnered with major manufacturing employers like UTC, Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky, and Electric Boat to train workers and create thousands of new, good-paying jobs,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “These large manufacturers have hundreds of subcontractors across Connecticut—this means big business for local small businesses, machine shops and workers across the entire supply chain. Today’s announcement by UTC is welcome news.”
“This year, Democrats in the General Assembly led passage of a $50 million investment in workforce development programs helping our community colleges and high schools prepare students to meet the demands for workers in advanced manufacturing,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “The investments we are making in advanced manufacturing education and career training are creating a pipeline of Connecticut workers—that will fill these jobs for a generation—who are better skilled and better educated than our competitors. UTC is just the latest example of a major employer choosing to grow its workforce here in Connecticut”
“This commitment to Connecticut speaks volumes about the great workforce available in our state,” said state Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford). “I’m proud to represent the 3rd Senate District, which is home to UTC and many of its subcontractors.”
“UTC growing its workforce by 11 percent in Connecticut over the next three years means that Connecticut has to make a commensurate investment in its higher education system to help prepare our students for these and other high-tech manufacturing jobs, which are growing by leaps and bounds in the state,” said state Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford), who is Senate Co-Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. “I remember last year at this time UTC was opening its brand-new $60 million research center in East Hartford, and that came a couple years after UTC said it’s investing half a billion dollars in research and manufacturing here in Connecticut by 2020. So the jobs are there, and they’re growing; now we have to do our part to properly prepare the next-generation workforce.”
“Nothing happens in a vacuum; UTC is growing these jobs in Connecticut in part because of our commitment to this company and their commitment to stay and grow in Connecticut, which they’ve been doing a lot of lately,” said state Senator Steve Cassano (D-Manchester), who once worked as a machinist at UTC’s Pratt & Whitney division. “UTC CEO Greg Hayes said today that their hiring goals means Connecticut has to train and have available a wider pool of manufacturing talent. That’s what I’ve been saying for years. We’ve got to get kids started earlier in the manufacturing trades, and we’ve got to bring more women into this field. I think Connecticut as made great strides in recent years but now we’ve got more work to do.”
“I spent much of the past year advocating for state assistance and job training funds for our growing submarine industry down in southeastern Connecticut, so I know how important any announcement is regarding more manufacturing jobs and the need for a trained workforce,” said state Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague). “Manufacturing jobs are coming back big-time to Connecticut, and we’ve done a lot in the legislature over the last few years to make that possible, including our agreement with UTC four years ago that swapped some unused tax credits for their $500 million investment in the state. But we have to continue working with state manufacturers and our local high schools and community colleges to make sure we’re dovetailing our state job-training policies with this new economic reality. It’s kind of a nice challenge to have.”
“In 2014, I voted to make an investment in UTC’s future in Connecticut and that has helped grow our economy and create more jobs,” said state Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain). “So many of my constituents in the 6th District work for UTC, and having this kind of economic stability will ensure Connecticut’s economic future. This is a great moment for Connecticut, and I am so proud to be part of it.”
Senate Democrats Hail UTC Announcement of 2,000 New Jobs and Investment in Connecticut
Senate Democrats Hail UTC Announcement of 2,000 New Jobs and Investment in Connecticut
Members of the Senate Democratic Caucus today released the following statements regarding today’s announcement by United Technologies Corporation that it is committing to add 2,000 more jobs in Connecticut:
“In just the past three years, Connecticut has partnered with major manufacturing employers like UTC, Pratt & Whitney, Sikorsky, and Electric Boat to train workers and create thousands of new, good-paying jobs,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “These large manufacturers have hundreds of subcontractors across Connecticut—this means big business for local small businesses, machine shops and workers across the entire supply chain. Today’s announcement by UTC is welcome news.”
“This year, Democrats in the General Assembly led passage of a $50 million investment in workforce development programs helping our community colleges and high schools prepare students to meet the demands for workers in advanced manufacturing,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “The investments we are making in advanced manufacturing education and career training are creating a pipeline of Connecticut workers—that will fill these jobs for a generation—who are better skilled and better educated than our competitors. UTC is just the latest example of a major employer choosing to grow its workforce here in Connecticut”
“This commitment to Connecticut speaks volumes about the great workforce available in our state,” said state Senator Tim Larson (D-East Hartford). “I’m proud to represent the 3rd Senate District, which is home to UTC and many of its subcontractors.”
“UTC growing its workforce by 11 percent in Connecticut over the next three years means that Connecticut has to make a commensurate investment in its higher education system to help prepare our students for these and other high-tech manufacturing jobs, which are growing by leaps and bounds in the state,” said state Senator Beth Bye (D-West Hartford), who is Senate Co-Chair of the Higher Education and Employment Advancement Committee. “I remember last year at this time UTC was opening its brand-new $60 million research center in East Hartford, and that came a couple years after UTC said it’s investing half a billion dollars in research and manufacturing here in Connecticut by 2020. So the jobs are there, and they’re growing; now we have to do our part to properly prepare the next-generation workforce.”
“Nothing happens in a vacuum; UTC is growing these jobs in Connecticut in part because of our commitment to this company and their commitment to stay and grow in Connecticut, which they’ve been doing a lot of lately,” said state Senator Steve Cassano (D-Manchester), who once worked as a machinist at UTC’s Pratt & Whitney division. “UTC CEO Greg Hayes said today that their hiring goals means Connecticut has to train and have available a wider pool of manufacturing talent. That’s what I’ve been saying for years. We’ve got to get kids started earlier in the manufacturing trades, and we’ve got to bring more women into this field. I think Connecticut as made great strides in recent years but now we’ve got more work to do.”
“I spent much of the past year advocating for state assistance and job training funds for our growing submarine industry down in southeastern Connecticut, so I know how important any announcement is regarding more manufacturing jobs and the need for a trained workforce,” said state Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague). “Manufacturing jobs are coming back big-time to Connecticut, and we’ve done a lot in the legislature over the last few years to make that possible, including our agreement with UTC four years ago that swapped some unused tax credits for their $500 million investment in the state. But we have to continue working with state manufacturers and our local high schools and community colleges to make sure we’re dovetailing our state job-training policies with this new economic reality. It’s kind of a nice challenge to have.”
“In 2014, I voted to make an investment in UTC’s future in Connecticut and that has helped grow our economy and create more jobs,” said state Senator Terry Gerratana (D-New Britain). “So many of my constituents in the 6th District work for UTC, and having this kind of economic stability will ensure Connecticut’s economic future. This is a great moment for Connecticut, and I am so proud to be part of it.”
Moore Applauds Governor’s Signing of Pay Equity Law
Moore Applauds Governor’s Signing of Pay Equity Law
Senator Marilyn Moore (D-Bridgeport) applauded the governor for signing into law of a bipartisan bill concerning gender pay equity.
Under Public Act No. 18-8, employers in Connecticut are prohibited from asking prospective employees about their previous wages, as evidence shows women disproportionately carry lower salaries from one job to the next.
“This bill ensures that all women of all races are not discriminated against when negotiating her salary and will help boost the state’s economy by putting more money into the pockets of women our workforce,” Sen. Moore said. “This will be especially helpful to black and Latina women in my district who earn 59 cents and 48 cents, respectively, for every dollar that a white man earns. That means they have to work twice as many hours to earn the same as a man. I’m glad Connecticut is taking a strong stance in support of women in our workforce by passing this law.”
On average, unfair pay costs each working woman in Connecticut more than $10,000 every year. According to the National Women’s Law Center, women in Connecticut—on average—have to work until age 70 to earn what a man makes by the time he is 60. The Senate Democrats originally introduced the legislation as a cornerstone of their Democratic Values agenda in order to put Connecticut at the forefront of a national debate about the wage gap.
Looney E-News: Bipartisan Budget: Funding for Seniors, Education, Towns and Transportation
Duff, Leone: Connecticut Boaters Win With 50 percent Tax Cut on Boats, Motors, and Trailers
Duff, Leone: Connecticut Boaters Win With 50 percent Tax Cut on Boats, Motors, and Trailers
State Senators Bob Duff (D-Norwalk) and Carlo Leone (D-Stamford) announced today that recently enacted biennial state budget cuts in half the sales tax on boats, boat motors and boat trailers, a move that is expected to save Connecticut boaters about $2.5 million beginning July 1.
Section 62 of the new state budget—signed into law on May 15 by Governor Malloy—reduces the state sales tax on the sale of new boats, motors and trailers from 6.35 percent to 2.99 percent, effective July 1, 2018.
Both Sens. Duff and Leone advocated for the sales tax cut and voted for the state budget which includes it.
“The maritime industry has been important to Connecticut for hundreds of years,” Sen. Duff said. “We have a proud history supporting boating for both recreational and commercial uses and the jobs associated with them. Fighting for a tax rate that keeps our state competitive with others ensures the industry will thrive well into the future.”
“Here in Stamford and Darien, boats are big business, whether you’re selling them or repairing them or docking them, and that’s true for the entire Connecticut shoreline from Greenwich to Stonington,” Sen. Leone said. “I and other legislators have heard for years about how Connecticut’s sales tax on boats, motors and trailers is making us uncompetitive with surrounding states, so I’m hopeful that cutting our sales tax rate in half—a little more than half, actually—is going to prompt more sales, which leads to more activity for marinas, restaurants, retail shops and diesel fuel dealers. I’m happy to finally get this legislation passed after years of trying.”
“We want to thank the legislature for recognizing the importance of recreational boating and the jobs this sector provides,” said Bill Gardella, owner of the Rex Marine Center in Norwalk. “The lower sales tax on boat purchases will help increase economic activity in our industry, and that’s a good thing.”
“The boating industry in Connecticut has suffered in recent years, but we believe the 2.99 percent sales tax will be very helpful in turning this around,” added Todd Breden, general manager of Brewer Yacht Haven Marina in Stamford. “The lower tax rate will encourage purchases to take place here in Connecticut, and not in other states.”
At a March public hearing on a similar bill to reduce the sales tax on boats, a marine industry executive noted that most boats sold in Connecticut are not luxurious, expensive yachts: in 2012, 40 percent of the boats sold in Connecticut were under 20 feet long, while just one-half of 1 percent of all boats sold exceeded 40 feet in length.
According to the state Department of Motor Vehicles, there were nearly 75,000 boats registered in Connecticut as of May 1.