STATE SENATOR
Cathy Osten
DEPUTY PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE
GETTING RESULTS
- Representing
- Columbia,
- Franklin,
- Hebron,
- Lebanon,
- Ledyard,
- Lisbon,
- Marlborough,
- Montville,
- Norwich,
- Sprague
Wasting no time prior to February’s start of the 2018 session of the General Assembly, State Senator Cathy Osten (D-Sprague) today announced that she has filed proposed legislation called the Submarine Jobs and Opportunities Building Success Act (JOBS Act) to dramatically increase Connecticut’s investment in defense manufacturing jobs.
Senator Osten is proposing dedicating $100 million in funds over five years for building infrastructure to meet the demand of increased submarine contracts. Senator Osten is also proposing investing $50 million over 10 years in workforce programs, community colleges and high schools that correspond with the demands of defense contracts for submarine design, construction, repair and maintenance.
“Creating an effective jobs pipeline will guarantee a generation of Connecticut workers good jobs and secure futures,” said Senator Osten. “Electric Boat has nearly 450 active suppliers located in Connecticut. It is an undeniable fact that building submarines is big business for hundreds of Connecticut’s small businesses, and ensuring that our state has a highly skilled and well prepared workforce is critically important in order to meet demand.”
“Senator Osten’s Submarine JOBS Act is a landmark and visionary proposal that invests in Connecticut workers, small businesses, students and our largest job creators,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Martin M. Looney (D-New Haven). “With Electric Boat poised to build new facilities to accommodate the construction of the Columbia Class submarine and its intention to hire as many as 15,000 workers over the next 15 years, the Submarine JOBS Act will serve as the cornerstone for job growth in the region and across Connecticut.”
“Growing Connecticut’s economy requires us to make smart and strategic investments in job creation,” said Senate Majority Leader Bob Duff (D-Norwalk). “Senate Democrats have led the way investing in Electric Boat, Sikorsky/Lockheed Martin, Pratt and Whitney, and CTNext to grow jobs to maintain Connecticut’s competitive advantage. Senator Osten’s proposal will strengthen the backbone of Connecticut’s economy.”